References January 8, 2003 Re: Susan Dana, RNC, LCCE, ARNP, IBCLC Susan has asked me to write a letter of reference regarding her interest in working with you in your breast pump rental and lactation consultancy, and in receiving referrals for post-partum home visits. I had the pleasure of working closely with Susan for seven years, until her recent departure from KUMed. Indeed, we shared an office during that entire period. We provided complementary services to the hospital's mother/baby population. She helped me do my job better through her consistently positive attitude and solid professional support. Susan is the kind of nurse that every nurse should be. She has an extraordinary and rare ability to establish rapport with patients, particularly at critical and stressful times in their lives. She has always been cheerfully available to provide support to other staff when needed. She is dependable in communication and follow-through. I enjoyed observing her outstanding one-to-one clinical skills with families. Probably the biggest compliment I could give Susan was to ask her to come to my house with my third child. Even though I am a masters prepared nurse, it didn't matter. I was a mother first and I wanted the best follow up visit for my child. That was Susan. Susan's knowledge and expertise of breastfeeding is extensive, yet she never hesitated to consult with others when there was any uncertainty. She works effectively on a team as well as independently. Susan initiated KUMed's early discharge post-partum home visit program. Indeed, she is the lead author of an article describing her program scheduled for publication in JOGNN in early 2003. We didn't worry about our patients who went home early because we knew Susan would be seeing them in their homes the following day. Her patient evaluations were heart-warming. Nursing and medical students who accompanied her often remarked that their day with Susan was one of the most impactful experiences in their training. It is generally advised that reference letters contain some shortcoming, to demonstrate an even-handed evaluation. But, I can think of nothing remotely negative to say about Susan. Those of us who worked with Susan were greatly saddened when she left KUMed and we still miss her. She is truly irreplaceable. Sincerely,
Teresa Kilkenny, ARNP, PNP
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