Kids & Family
Everyday Inspirations: Nurse Kathleen Kladifko Known as 'Little Miss Sunshine'
Patch readers told us who the "Everyday Inspirations" in their communities are, and we're sharing their stories and the work they've done locally.
Everyday Inspirations is a series that features people in Patch communities who inspire others through their work, or people who have faced extraordinary situations and grown from them. They have been featured by other people in the community that have been inspired by the nominees.
Name: Kathleen Kladifko
Town: Glendora, CA
Nominated by: Ken Kladifko
Why is this person an "Everyday Inspiration?"
Kathleen is a nurse at Huntington Medical Foundation's Arcadia Pediatric offiice. One of the busiest medical offices in the San Gabriel Valley, Kathleen assists the eight doctors who work in that office. Her office nickname is, "Little Miss Sunshine." Given to her by the people who work with her, she is called that because no matter what is happening, or how serious it gets, she always has a smile on her face.
On a daily basis, she takes care of sick children of all ages and always has a positive attitude no matter what the circumstance. Kathleen helps nervous first time parents feel comfortable and worried parents of sick children feel like they are in "good hands with Kathleen."
Kathleen constantly gets compliments and high praise from her patients and their parents, but she is always humble and realizes that she is just doing what she loves doing, helping kids and parents. It's nice to know that an extraordinary "everyday inspiration" works in an office that can sometimes be overwhelming with sick patients and stressed parents.
In addition to working full time, Kathleen has raised two wonderful boys and has been active in th Charter Oak Unified School District PTA from the time they started school. Kathleen has received PTA's highest award for service, the "Golden Oak" award.
How does this person work to make others' lives better?
Kathleen knows how to talk to patients and parents from her heart and assure them everything is going to be OK. She communicates with her smile and her genuine warm regard for what is wrong. She has a warm soul and is willing to share her personal experiences in life so others can learn.
When patients and parents come into her office she greets them not as one of the many patients who come in on a daily basis, but rather as an individual who has a problem and she is there to focus all her attention on helping them out.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
