Kendall McGraw
June 2022
Kendall
McGraw
,
BSN RN
Surgical ICU
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

Kendall is an extraordinary nurse who has holistically preserved the dignity of this patient.
Kendall has frequently cared for a patient whose course sadly turned terminal. She coordinated a birthday celebration and brought in nail polish, as manicures were always important to the patient. Kendall saw that the nurse assigned one day was not familiar with the patient. She recognized the family's need for familiarity, and she volunteered to switch patients. Kendall is an extraordinary nurse who has holistically preserved the dignity of this patient. The patient's complications caused them to bounce back and forth from the general floor to the ICU. Kendall was the primary nurse during all ICU admissions. The patient celebrated their birthday in the SICU. Kendall coordinated with the patient's spouse to make the day special. Though the patient wasn't up to the visit from their family that Kendall had tried to arrange, the patient enjoyed face timing with them. The patient virtually spent the day with family and friends and enjoyed the birthday cake Kendall ordered from dietary. The patient transferred out of the ICU again but returned days later. The patient's illness had aggressively returned, and they quickly decompensated, requiring life support. Kendall was frequently their nurse, supporting the patient and family. On the morning of a difficult end-of-life meeting, Kendall volunteered to care for the patient to participate, sensing her presence would bring comfort to the grieving family. Her compassion has brought peace to everyone involved in this patient’s care.