August 2026 Honoree
Megan Oberholtzer, RN
Our family was so touched by and appreciative of the loving care that our mom received in Serenata Skilled Nursing. During her last days, however, we were particularly touched by the compassion and gentleness shown toward our dad by Nursing Supervisor, Megan Oberholtzer.
While sitting by Mom's bedside, it seemed Dad wasn't convinced that she wasn't going to get better. He wanted to take her to the hospital, have them run tests, see what else could be done. We had spoken to Megan by phone earlier in the morning to get an account of Mom's condition before we came to sit with her. Megan was so good at talking in layman's terms and helping us understand the stages of dying and making suggestions as to what we could say to Dad to help him understand as well. But since Dad was now talking about a hospital visit, we thought talking with a nurse himself may be more helpful.
We asked Megan to come and talk with him. Never, ever, have we experienced a more beautiful exchange between a medical professional and a family member. Megan pulled a chair up and sat right across from him. She listened thoughtfully until he was done expressing all of his concerns and ideas about what he thought we needed to do for Mom. She heard him. She acknowledged his request, but tenderly questioned if Dad would really want to put Mom through the stress of a hospital visit, only to confirm what we already knew was happening. She did not belittle him or his feelings. She delicately explained to him that Mom was not eating or drinking and her body was shutting down. She told him they were helping to manage any pain she was in with medication, and that, in combination with the oxygen, was making it easier for her to breathe. We don't know how she was able to get through all of that so eloquently.
Speaking with someone about the death and dying of a loved one has got to be the most excruciating part of the job of a medical professional. She was amazing. And although difficult to hear, Dad was very appreciative of Megan's conversation with him, and accepted that we were doing the right thing for Mom and that she was in good hands at Dock.
Our Mom was the finest RN. She took the talent of "nursing" outside the walls of doctors' offices, showing care, concern, and selfless love towards others her whole life. We can't help but think that Mom heard every word of Megan's conversation with Dad while at her bedside, and her heart was surely bursting with happiness at the exceptional nurse who was providing comfort and care to her family.
While sitting by Mom's bedside, it seemed Dad wasn't convinced that she wasn't going to get better. He wanted to take her to the hospital, have them run tests, see what else could be done. We had spoken to Megan by phone earlier in the morning to get an account of Mom's condition before we came to sit with her. Megan was so good at talking in layman's terms and helping us understand the stages of dying and making suggestions as to what we could say to Dad to help him understand as well. But since Dad was now talking about a hospital visit, we thought talking with a nurse himself may be more helpful.
We asked Megan to come and talk with him. Never, ever, have we experienced a more beautiful exchange between a medical professional and a family member. Megan pulled a chair up and sat right across from him. She listened thoughtfully until he was done expressing all of his concerns and ideas about what he thought we needed to do for Mom. She heard him. She acknowledged his request, but tenderly questioned if Dad would really want to put Mom through the stress of a hospital visit, only to confirm what we already knew was happening. She did not belittle him or his feelings. She delicately explained to him that Mom was not eating or drinking and her body was shutting down. She told him they were helping to manage any pain she was in with medication, and that, in combination with the oxygen, was making it easier for her to breathe. We don't know how she was able to get through all of that so eloquently.
Speaking with someone about the death and dying of a loved one has got to be the most excruciating part of the job of a medical professional. She was amazing. And although difficult to hear, Dad was very appreciative of Megan's conversation with him, and accepted that we were doing the right thing for Mom and that she was in good hands at Dock.
Our Mom was the finest RN. She took the talent of "nursing" outside the walls of doctors' offices, showing care, concern, and selfless love towards others her whole life. We can't help but think that Mom heard every word of Megan's conversation with Dad while at her bedside, and her heart was surely bursting with happiness at the exceptional nurse who was providing comfort and care to her family.
Thank you, Megan, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
View More Honorees