May 2026 Honoree
Kaitlyn Costis, ASN, RN, GERO-BC
I would like to recognize Kaitlyn because of the compassion, patience, and advocacy she showed while caring for an elderly suicidal patient during one of the hardest moments of their life.
While doing bedside triage, the patient quietly told this nurse that they had a plan to commit suicide. Instead of rushing through the interaction, she immediately sat down beside the patient, held their hand while they cried, and gently explained everything she was going to do to help keep them safe. You could tell from that moment that she truly saw this patient as a person who was hurting, not just another task or room assignment.
When the patient’s family arrived, they dismissed the patient’s feelings because of their age, saying she was “too old” to be suicidal and asking for her to be discharged. Kaitlyn handled the situation with so much professionalism. She calmly explained that elderly patients can absolutely experience depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, and that their pain deserves to be taken seriously. She didn’t shame or argue with the family. Instead, she sat with them for over thirty minutes, educating them about suicide risk in geriatric patients and talking through resources for caregiver support and respite care if they were feeling overwhelmed. She advocated for the patient while still treating the family with kindness and respect.
What impacted me the most were the quieter moments of care that could have easily gone unnoticed. The patient became emotional talking about how embarrassed they were that they had not combed their hair for an extended period of time, and now were unable to due to the knots that had formed in it. Without hesitation, Kaitlyn grabbed a brush and gently worked through the patient’s hair, carefully detangling large knots while sitting and talking with them. It was such a small act, but it restored a sense of dignity and comfort to someone who was clearly struggling deeply. When the patient started to cry, she stayed right there beside them, holding their hand and wiping away their tears.
There are so many times when patients struggling with depression, especially elderly patients, are overlooked or minimized. Kaitlyn did not let that happen. She spent hours making sure this patient felt safe, heard, cared for, and important. The compassion she showed went far beyond medical care, and I truly believe she represents everything the DAISY Award stands for.
---
My wife had to come in after a colonoscopy. We thought that she might have a bowel perforation and peritonitis. She has had a lot of medical experiences in the past, most of which have not been good. Kaitlyn was very kind with her and was able to stick her with an IV that was able to get CT contrast in. The entire time, Kaitlyn was talking with her and keeping her calm.
I heard all the reassurance; how my wife was exceptional. It's the type of experience that makes me not afraid to bring her to the hospital. I myself am a nurse at IFMC; I know how difficult a patient can make care difficult. Kaitlyn was able to deal with this tough situation and help my wife when she was particularly scared. This was the best experience we have had
While doing bedside triage, the patient quietly told this nurse that they had a plan to commit suicide. Instead of rushing through the interaction, she immediately sat down beside the patient, held their hand while they cried, and gently explained everything she was going to do to help keep them safe. You could tell from that moment that she truly saw this patient as a person who was hurting, not just another task or room assignment.
When the patient’s family arrived, they dismissed the patient’s feelings because of their age, saying she was “too old” to be suicidal and asking for her to be discharged. Kaitlyn handled the situation with so much professionalism. She calmly explained that elderly patients can absolutely experience depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, and that their pain deserves to be taken seriously. She didn’t shame or argue with the family. Instead, she sat with them for over thirty minutes, educating them about suicide risk in geriatric patients and talking through resources for caregiver support and respite care if they were feeling overwhelmed. She advocated for the patient while still treating the family with kindness and respect.
What impacted me the most were the quieter moments of care that could have easily gone unnoticed. The patient became emotional talking about how embarrassed they were that they had not combed their hair for an extended period of time, and now were unable to due to the knots that had formed in it. Without hesitation, Kaitlyn grabbed a brush and gently worked through the patient’s hair, carefully detangling large knots while sitting and talking with them. It was such a small act, but it restored a sense of dignity and comfort to someone who was clearly struggling deeply. When the patient started to cry, she stayed right there beside them, holding their hand and wiping away their tears.
There are so many times when patients struggling with depression, especially elderly patients, are overlooked or minimized. Kaitlyn did not let that happen. She spent hours making sure this patient felt safe, heard, cared for, and important. The compassion she showed went far beyond medical care, and I truly believe she represents everything the DAISY Award stands for.
---
My wife had to come in after a colonoscopy. We thought that she might have a bowel perforation and peritonitis. She has had a lot of medical experiences in the past, most of which have not been good. Kaitlyn was very kind with her and was able to stick her with an IV that was able to get CT contrast in. The entire time, Kaitlyn was talking with her and keeping her calm.
I heard all the reassurance; how my wife was exceptional. It's the type of experience that makes me not afraid to bring her to the hospital. I myself am a nurse at IFMC; I know how difficult a patient can make care difficult. Kaitlyn was able to deal with this tough situation and help my wife when she was particularly scared. This was the best experience we have had
Thank you, Kaitlyn, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
View More Honorees