The first time I "met" Kathy, we had been asked to co-author a book chapter for geriatrics. We corresponded via email for a bit until a misunderstanding prompted a call. We introduced ourselves and laughed because we both thought each other were NPs. After that, we both said what we were thinking.
Kathy was a wealth of knowledge and probably the most humble of people I know. She mentored me with the writing while we would chat for hours about advocacy, house calls, and the state of the world; she encouraged me when I questioned getting my doctorate "at my age." We would preface our calls with "I only have a few minutes," then an hour or so later, we would hang up, saying we would finish the conversation next time.
Occasionally I would receive calls to volunteer for a PA group, run for president, or contribute to a forum. Eventually, I would ask how they had received my name. It was always Kathy Kemle. Most of the time, it was to replace her in her capacity. I was always shocked at how much she did but even more grateful and surprised she had faith that I could.
I am saddened that we will no longer have our conversations, sad that we will not share the floor in the AAPA HOD, and deeply saddened by losing such a friend.
