My father passed away at age 73 unexpectedly in the ICU at Samaritan due to COVID. Even though my family and I are grieving, there were a couple of issues that we felt were very important and we wanted to take the time to make known.

Katie O'Brien was the nurse assigned to my father on the last day of his life and the hardest day of ours. The hardest part of this all was that Dad was fully aware and involved in these end of life discussions. He knew that it was his time to go, but didn't want to suffer anymore. I assured my father that I would do everything in my power to make sure he didn't suffer. Katie and I discussed my dad's end of life plan after dad had decided to stop treatment. I expressed major concern that Dad would feel as if he was suffocating and I needed to be assured that he would be adequately medicated. She reviewed with me her management plan in the event Dad was struggling and the actions that would be taken. She assured me her goals for his comfort were the same as mine and I felt as comfortable as I could going in that his needs would be managed as we moved off from the Bipap.

However, I was still scared that my father was going to suffer even more if I would not have the power to keep the promise that he wouldn't suffer. When my father finished saying his goodbyes to his loved ones, he announced he was ready to get started with comfort care. The time from the start of comfort care to Dad's death was only about an hour. In that hour, Katie earned my respect and more thanks than I shall ever be able to articulate. My father was at her mercy and it turned out that that was the best place he could be. Katie was such a gift to my father and ultimately to our family. His end of life care was handled with such professionalism and perfection. She was tuned into his needs and so responsive in every way. Katie's years of experience were evident and I have never been so grateful for the skills of the nursing profession in my life.

I quickly realized that Katie did understand what we needed and I didn't have to worry about my Dad’s care. His comfort was Katie's first priority. Because of Katie, my Dad passed away without unnecessary discomfort surrounded by love. His death was far more peaceful than I could have imagined. I have been a nurse for over 30 years and have rarely seen the art of nursing practiced so beautifully. Please pass on to Katie our genuine heartfelt thanks. Let her know that we are so grateful that she was there that day and make sure she knows the lasting impact her nursing care had on our family. We can never thank her enough. Katie demonstrated the highest level of extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care that I have ever seen.