Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

Describe why this individual is deserving of the Katz-Mason or Jordan Award

Dear ASTNA Selection Committee, We are writing to nominate our exceptional colleague, Kris Bauer, for the Katz-Mason Award. Kris is excellence and leadership personified. As a nearly 30-year flight nurse, Kris is well known for her deep commitment to consistently delivering the highest quality care to patients. She has highly refined technical skills and is truly a clinical expert. Her patients and colleagues alike are grateful for her cool head and steady hand even in the most critical situations. She exudes compassion for all people from all walks of life, especially those from vulnerable and underserved populations. On a personal note, Kris took in and cared for her grandmother during the last decade of her life. Her caring heart knows no bounds and she treats her patients just as she treats her own loved ones. As a lifelong learner, Kris earned her Master of Nursing and is a Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She is a highly valued educator, coach, and mentor to her team members at Airlift Northwest, as well as to other teams around the country. She has presented at AMTC and has written for Critical Care Nursing Quarterly. Kris is an active member of ASTNA and is a highly regarded and valued TPATC instructor. Kris is a passionate educator and has a knack for teaching with an uncanny ability to make complex and technical topics understandable. One example is her ventilator course, which she developed initially for her team but has subsequently expanded to share with other programs, and she has received stellar reviews. It’s been said that one of the biggest compliments a healthcare provider can receive is when a peer says they would want that individual to care for their loved ones in their time of need. Not only does Kris receive this compliment often, but this sentiment is reflected in the peer-nominated awards she’s received at Airlift Northwest: The Fleetwood-Riebe Award and Preceptor of the Year Award. Speaking of peers, Kris has a way of bringing people together, building cohesiveness and a sense of belonging, that is central to positive organizational culture. She makes everyone feel welcome and included, and truly wants every member of the team to succeed. Kris is gifted in balancing the serious focus required for clinical excellence with the lighter side of life, being quick to smile and bringing a contagious laugh when appropriate – an important trait when it comes to managing the stress of this profession. She is known for being incredibly supportive when people are going through difficult times and is often sought out for support and guidance. Kris has said many times that one of the highlights of her career is the opportunity to serve on an international medical mission team in Haiti, which she’s done numerous times. The opportunity to bring care and relief to this severely underserved population in austere conditions is a reflection of Kris’s commitment to caring for all of humanity with excellence and compassion. We are blessed and lucky to call Kris our colleague and friend, and we believe she abundantly deserving of this award.

Thank you for your kind consideration. Isaac Hurley Stephanie Anderson Lori Avaiusini, Flight RN & Educator, ALNW LT Arnold Emily Andersen Mikaela Hagberg Colleen Records Matthew Plourde Cindy Goodrich, Flight RN & Educator, ALNW Claire Clark Bonita Haggith, Flight RN, ALNW,

Kris Bauer is the daughter of Vivian Edwards and Bill Edwards a RHS graduate 1984 She will receive this award at the Air Medical Transport conference in Columbus, Ohio on Oct 24th, 2023