First, I would like to say all your nurses are wonderful on the 4th floor. My Dad was hospitalized multiple times in the last 2 years. The care he received there was exceptional. Your nurses and aides not only took care of my dad but our family as well. As a frequent patient, we came to know your staff well and appreciated the care he received. It was a comfort to my mom and me. Kathleen was often our nurse and always remembered my dad when he returned. When she would see his name, she stopped to see him even when she wasn't his nurse.

My dad came in for another infection, and we knew our time was limited with him. Two days later, Kathleen was our nurse. My husband and I had stayed overnight, when Kathleen came in the first thing she did was go to my dad’s side, lay her hand on his arm, leaned over and told him "I'm going to take good care of you today." Her sorrow showed on her face as she knew what we were facing as we prepared to transfer to hospice. Kathleen took care of not only my dad but also me. I had paperwork to sign for hospice even though there was a representative there. Kathleen helped walk me through it as Dad’s POA. I could feel how much she truly cared for my dad and our family. Transport arrived to move him to hospice, and she helped to make sure Dad was comfortable and settled on the gurney. Again, Kathleen leaned over Dad and prayed over him as though saying goodbye to a friend, and she was. She then hugged me tight and said a prayer over me and my husband.

This is only a few examples of the acts of kindness we experienced at Bethesda. I asked her last name, and she said Finnegan and I said oh, like the song and she laughed and said yes. Many of your nurses and aides touched our hearts with their warmth and caring, but Kathleen treated us like family. I will always be grateful to her for how she cared for my dad the day before he passed. She may only be a "NURSE," but to our family, she is a blessing and friend. We are forever grateful.