Kristin Washatko
December 2025
Kristin
Washatko
,
RN
Hospice
Aspirus Langlade Hospital
Antigo
,
WI
United States
My family could not have asked for a better nurse, or human being, to guide us through hospice.
Nomination 1
Kristin was so sweet. Her smile lit up the room! My mom said she was organized and knew just where to find and keep everything.
Kristin provided my mom and dad with education on comfort medications, giving the first dose of morphine and staying there with them to see how he responded. My mom said it was a great help for Kristin to go back a second time on Friday because my dad was feeling anxious. “She filled up all those syringes for us so your dad would have the medication if he needed it.”
My mom remembers Kristin calling dad “darling,” and that warmed her heart. Kristin helped me with bathing when some of the caregivers for hospice were on vacation. This meant so much to my family and me. And one day I asked her to do it all herself. Of course, she was more than happy to do it.
Kristin and my dad also connected on a personal, familial level. That was very important to him. One fond memory I have is when Kristin was completing his bed bath, she was washing his feet. He pulled his foot back quickly. Kristin laughed and said, “I thought you weren’t ticklish!” We had a good laugh.
From one “old” hospice nurse to another…you were exactly what my dad, family, and I needed. Thank you!
Nomination 2
My family could not have asked for a better nurse, or human being, to guide us through hospice.
Every time Kristin walked through the door, my mom's face would light up with a smile. She always listened to my mom, even as she became more confused and disoriented. The love and respect Kristin showed went far beyond anything we could have expected.
Her visits never felt rushed, and she always made sure to leave only when all our questions were answered or with a plan to find the answers.
Whether it was bringing her coffee or flowers, or simply holding her hand during difficult conversations, Kristin was always there for her. She made sure my dad felt supported and wasn’t carrying too much on his own, and she kept my brother and me updated with calls and texts when we couldn’t be there in person.
Kristin felt like part of our family, and that kind of comfort is exactly what you hope for when a loved one is in hospice care. It was the exact care that we needed when my mother ultimately passed away.
Kristin was so sweet. Her smile lit up the room! My mom said she was organized and knew just where to find and keep everything.
Kristin provided my mom and dad with education on comfort medications, giving the first dose of morphine and staying there with them to see how he responded. My mom said it was a great help for Kristin to go back a second time on Friday because my dad was feeling anxious. “She filled up all those syringes for us so your dad would have the medication if he needed it.”
My mom remembers Kristin calling dad “darling,” and that warmed her heart. Kristin helped me with bathing when some of the caregivers for hospice were on vacation. This meant so much to my family and me. And one day I asked her to do it all herself. Of course, she was more than happy to do it.
Kristin and my dad also connected on a personal, familial level. That was very important to him. One fond memory I have is when Kristin was completing his bed bath, she was washing his feet. He pulled his foot back quickly. Kristin laughed and said, “I thought you weren’t ticklish!” We had a good laugh.
From one “old” hospice nurse to another…you were exactly what my dad, family, and I needed. Thank you!
Nomination 2
My family could not have asked for a better nurse, or human being, to guide us through hospice.
Every time Kristin walked through the door, my mom's face would light up with a smile. She always listened to my mom, even as she became more confused and disoriented. The love and respect Kristin showed went far beyond anything we could have expected.
Her visits never felt rushed, and she always made sure to leave only when all our questions were answered or with a plan to find the answers.
Whether it was bringing her coffee or flowers, or simply holding her hand during difficult conversations, Kristin was always there for her. She made sure my dad felt supported and wasn’t carrying too much on his own, and she kept my brother and me updated with calls and texts when we couldn’t be there in person.
Kristin felt like part of our family, and that kind of comfort is exactly what you hope for when a loved one is in hospice care. It was the exact care that we needed when my mother ultimately passed away.