July 2026 Honoree
Keaton Wilbanks, RN
I found my husband and me sharing separate rooms on separate floors at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, Washington. We had been unable to see each other because of medical issues. It was heartbreaking after 53 years of marriage not to share time together, and it brought deep sorrow.
Keaton had also nursed my husband on an earlier visit and was aware of who he was, and he liked him very much. In the afternoon, my son was visiting me, and we stared in horror as the intercom in the hospital announced a "Code Blue" in my husband's room. My son dashed out to his father's room as I sat in stunned silence shrouded in fear and grief.
Keaton answered my call light, and I told him the Code Blue was in my husband's room. He hurried out. I had no idea where he was going, but he returned shortly with a wheelchair and said, "Let's go, let's get you to him."
That man did everything he could to get me out of bed, into the wheelchair, and literally ran to get me to my husband, and he did. My husband's heart was still beating, very slowly, but it was still beating when I asked to please let me in to say goodbye. A heavy mask was placed on me, and the nurse took me in and maneuvered my wheelchair so I could be beside him. Keaton massaged my shoulders to let me know that he was there and then left the room to give us privacy.
Because of his actions, I was able to hold my husband's hand, caress his cheek, thank him for all he had done for our family, tell him I loved him, and let him go. The doctor told me that after I said those things, my husband let go of his last breath and his heart quit beating.
If not for Keaton, I wouldn't have had the great solace of telling my husband goodbye, holding his hand, and knowing he didn't die alone. How do you thank someone who did everything in his power to make sure that he and I had last moments together? I hope somehow that he will receive recognition because all I can give him is my deepest thanks.
He didn't have to do any of this. He went so far above and beyond his nursing duties. He's an angel and because of him I got to hold my husband's hand, caress his cheek, tell him I love him and watch as he let go of his last breath.
As I trudge through this raw grief, my mind returns again and again to those last moments my husband and I had because of this nurse. I'm grateful for the DAISY Award.
Thank you.
Keaton had also nursed my husband on an earlier visit and was aware of who he was, and he liked him very much. In the afternoon, my son was visiting me, and we stared in horror as the intercom in the hospital announced a "Code Blue" in my husband's room. My son dashed out to his father's room as I sat in stunned silence shrouded in fear and grief.
Keaton answered my call light, and I told him the Code Blue was in my husband's room. He hurried out. I had no idea where he was going, but he returned shortly with a wheelchair and said, "Let's go, let's get you to him."
That man did everything he could to get me out of bed, into the wheelchair, and literally ran to get me to my husband, and he did. My husband's heart was still beating, very slowly, but it was still beating when I asked to please let me in to say goodbye. A heavy mask was placed on me, and the nurse took me in and maneuvered my wheelchair so I could be beside him. Keaton massaged my shoulders to let me know that he was there and then left the room to give us privacy.
Because of his actions, I was able to hold my husband's hand, caress his cheek, thank him for all he had done for our family, tell him I loved him, and let him go. The doctor told me that after I said those things, my husband let go of his last breath and his heart quit beating.
If not for Keaton, I wouldn't have had the great solace of telling my husband goodbye, holding his hand, and knowing he didn't die alone. How do you thank someone who did everything in his power to make sure that he and I had last moments together? I hope somehow that he will receive recognition because all I can give him is my deepest thanks.
He didn't have to do any of this. He went so far above and beyond his nursing duties. He's an angel and because of him I got to hold my husband's hand, caress his cheek, tell him I love him and watch as he let go of his last breath.
As I trudge through this raw grief, my mind returns again and again to those last moments my husband and I had because of this nurse. I'm grateful for the DAISY Award.
Thank you.
Thank you, Keaton, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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