Katie Leavy, RN. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
Katie Leavy, RN, works in the Labor and Delivery unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
From the nomination
“I would like to nominate Katie for the exceptional care she gave me during the birth of my son. She was with me from labor to the operating room, and through my immediate recovery. From the very beginning, Katie made me feel safe, heard, and supported. She consistently respected my wishes and advocated for me, ensuring my voice was not lost even as things became more intense. She had an incredible ability to recognize when I was becoming overwhelmed and would gently ground me, bringing me back to a place of calm.
“Katie explained everything to me in a way that was clear and easy to understand, without ever making me feel scared, even during an emergency situation which helped me feel informed and in control. I had hoped for a natural delivery, but my experience resulted in an emergency C-section. Despite this not being the birth I had envisioned, I still came away feeling overwhelmingly positive, and that is entirely because of Katie.
“She made what could have been a frightening experience feel calm, controlled, and safe. While everything around us was moving quickly, Katie remained a steady and reassuring presence. She was truly my anchor in the storm. It felt like I had known her for years, not just hours. Katie stayed with me in surgery and was there when I woke in recovery, right by my side. She brought me extra blankets, reassured me that my baby boy was doing well, and reminded me that I was going to be okay. She also took the time to come and visit me later in postpartum care before I was discharged, simply to check in on me.
“I had never stayed overnight in a hospital or undergone surgery before, and I expected to feel scared and possibly disappointed that my birth had not gone as planned. Instead, what I felt was gratitude. I felt safe. I felt that my baby was in the best possible hands. And I felt incredibly lucky to have had Katie by my side. She truly is in the right profession. She is an angel on earth, a genuine caregiver, and the very best kind of nurse any patient could hope for.”
About DAISY Awards
The DAISY Award is a recognition for extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families.
Vanderbilt Health distributes the award in partnership with The DAISY Foundation, which was formed in 1999 to honor the memory of J. Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old man who died of complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Barnes’ family was moved by the care they received from his nurses and wanted to recognize them to preserve his memory. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
Vanderbilt Health nurse committees determine the individual recipients. Previous recipients of the DAISY Award are here. The award is open to all licensed nurses, and anyone can nominate — including co-workers, patients and their families.
