August 2026 Honoree
Kailey Raschka, RN
Kailey was one of the first nurses we met when we were transferred to St. Mary's Hospital from St. Claire in Baraboo. My dad had an eye issue and was having quite a bit of pain. They transferred him since Baraboo didn't have an eye specialist who could see my dad.
The doctors noted my dad's decline and communicated with us the need to consider hospice. We were shocked, as our father had just attended a family celebration one week prior. Enter your humble nurse, Kailey. She not only took care of my father, but she took care of my brother, my sister, and me.
I live in Florida, and I try to talk to my dad every night on the phone. Even with Dad not communicating and not opening his eyes, Kailey called me to talk to my dad on two different nights (calling back the first night just to let me know that she was able to get him to take his meds), until I was able to fly there and be with him.
Kailey made sure that my dad got all his meds and eye drops until we finally agreed as a family to stop them with Hospice's guidance. Kailey was such a bright, beautiful young lady during a difficult time in our lives.
The last night at the hospital, I wanted to stay over. I was planning to sleep in the chair; however, Kailey would not have it and ordered a bed for me. When it didn't arrive, she got it herself.
Prior to me going to sleep, we talked about her family and shared family stories that made me laugh and cry. I do feel like God sent us an angel to help us get through the hospitalization, where we transitioned from a dad with dementia to being discharged with our father placed on hospice at home.
Kailey made sure to address all our questions and still advise based on the hospital doctor and the hospice nurse recommendations. We felt blessed to have met her on this difficult journey.
We hope that SSM knows what a delightful, kind, and well-educated nurse they have in this young lady, Kailey.
The doctors noted my dad's decline and communicated with us the need to consider hospice. We were shocked, as our father had just attended a family celebration one week prior. Enter your humble nurse, Kailey. She not only took care of my father, but she took care of my brother, my sister, and me.
I live in Florida, and I try to talk to my dad every night on the phone. Even with Dad not communicating and not opening his eyes, Kailey called me to talk to my dad on two different nights (calling back the first night just to let me know that she was able to get him to take his meds), until I was able to fly there and be with him.
Kailey made sure that my dad got all his meds and eye drops until we finally agreed as a family to stop them with Hospice's guidance. Kailey was such a bright, beautiful young lady during a difficult time in our lives.
The last night at the hospital, I wanted to stay over. I was planning to sleep in the chair; however, Kailey would not have it and ordered a bed for me. When it didn't arrive, she got it herself.
Prior to me going to sleep, we talked about her family and shared family stories that made me laugh and cry. I do feel like God sent us an angel to help us get through the hospitalization, where we transitioned from a dad with dementia to being discharged with our father placed on hospice at home.
Kailey made sure to address all our questions and still advise based on the hospital doctor and the hospice nurse recommendations. We felt blessed to have met her on this difficult journey.
We hope that SSM knows what a delightful, kind, and well-educated nurse they have in this young lady, Kailey.
Thank you, Kailey, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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