June 2026 Honoree
Kellianne McCarthy, BSN, RN
Dear Kellianne,
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to properly thank you, and the truth is, words hardly seem big enough for what you did for me during one of the hardest and most vulnerable times of my life.
Recovering from open heart surgery is something that changes a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. There are moments of fear, pain, exhaustion, uncertainty, and helplessness that patients carry quietly. Through all of that, you brought comfort, patience, compassion, and genuine kindness into my room every single day, and even with me knowing that you were gonna tell me, "Let’s go, get cleaned, walk, and order breakfast." Not a morning went by that I didn’t feel energized to do just that. That mattered more than I can ever fully explain.
You never made me feel like “just another patient.” You treated me like a human being who needed encouragement, dignity, and reassurance. Whether it was the way you checked on me, spoke to me, listened, or simply showed up with a calm and caring attitude, you helped make an incredibly difficult recovery feel manageable. There were moments when your kindness gave me strength I didn’t think I had left, brought back my military days when I didn’t have a choice in quitting, and I thank you for that.
People often remember the surgery itself, but what truly stays with someone is the care they receive afterward — the people who help them heal when they are at their weakest. For me, you will always be part of that story.
Thank you for your professionalism, your heart, your patience, and the compassion you showed me throughout my recovery phase. Nurses like you make an immeasurable difference in people’s lives, and I hope you never forget how appreciated you truly are.
I will always be grateful for the care you gave me and the humanity you showed me during such an important chapter of my life.
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to properly thank you, and the truth is, words hardly seem big enough for what you did for me during one of the hardest and most vulnerable times of my life.
Recovering from open heart surgery is something that changes a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. There are moments of fear, pain, exhaustion, uncertainty, and helplessness that patients carry quietly. Through all of that, you brought comfort, patience, compassion, and genuine kindness into my room every single day, and even with me knowing that you were gonna tell me, "Let’s go, get cleaned, walk, and order breakfast." Not a morning went by that I didn’t feel energized to do just that. That mattered more than I can ever fully explain.
You never made me feel like “just another patient.” You treated me like a human being who needed encouragement, dignity, and reassurance. Whether it was the way you checked on me, spoke to me, listened, or simply showed up with a calm and caring attitude, you helped make an incredibly difficult recovery feel manageable. There were moments when your kindness gave me strength I didn’t think I had left, brought back my military days when I didn’t have a choice in quitting, and I thank you for that.
People often remember the surgery itself, but what truly stays with someone is the care they receive afterward — the people who help them heal when they are at their weakest. For me, you will always be part of that story.
Thank you for your professionalism, your heart, your patience, and the compassion you showed me throughout my recovery phase. Nurses like you make an immeasurable difference in people’s lives, and I hope you never forget how appreciated you truly are.
I will always be grateful for the care you gave me and the humanity you showed me during such an important chapter of my life.
Thank you, Kellianne, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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