My husband was admitted to the ICU. He was a dialysis patient, and his blood pressure was too low for treatment. He had multiple other conditions that further complicated the situation. The night nurse and Kerry conferred about my husband’s needs and made a smooth transition leading to compassionate final-hour care. Kerry not only provided kind and gentle care for my husband, but she also prepared me for the approaching end-of-life signs. It was a combination of skillful care, comforting words, and giving me the private time to say goodbye to my husband that created a peaceful passage for him.

When it was time for me to leave, I asked Kerry to "take care of my guy"; she replied that he was still her patient and that she would respectfully prepare him for the next step. We parted with a tearful hug. The overall reason I feel that this remarkable nurse deserves recognition is that she displayed not just skilled nursing but compassionate and caring ways that helped provide a peaceful passing for my husband and reassured me that his final hours were met with the best possible concern.