I would like to recognize one nurse in particular, who is what I call a shining star in our time of need, our hero, Kathleen Keogh, RN. My husband, L, was a recent patient on 3PE for about 12 days with many complicated health conditions. However, while trying to make the best of a sad situation, we had the distinct pleasure of meeting Kathleen Keogh, RN. She was L’s nurse for 4 days straight and to say that Kathleen was a great nurse, would be an understatement. Kathleen was an angel in disguise! She took the time not only to do her job professionally, but to make us feel comfortable in challenging situations. We knew my husband was not going to recover or even be well enough to ever come home, in fact, we had been told a few days before to make final arrangements, and I’m sure Kathleen knew that L didn’t have much time left, but she never let it show. In fact, she took extra time during her shifts (which I know from having a sister as a nurse, there isn't much free time at all) and paid closer attention to both of us. My husband could not stop talking about how kind she was to him when I was not at his bedside. And if you knew my husband, you would know he rarely voiced his opinion aloud or gave compliments often.

Without us knowing that the next day L would be put into hospice, Kathleen came into the room that afternoon and, in her exact words to both of us, said, “It’s a beautiful day outside today, I think we will take you to the garden for some fresh air.” So Kathleen, along with another team member, took my husband in a wheelchair, along with his multiple lines and oxygen tanks to the garden area outside. She was right, it was a beautiful day, and unbeknownst to us, that was the last time my husband would see sunlight. Kathleen even took our picture and made L laugh when she told him to smile for the camera.

As I sit here now with tears streaming down my face, looking at that final picture, my last smiling memory of my husband in the sunshine was all because of her and the way she cared about her patient. As she left our room that evening, I will always remember the way my husband waved goodbye to her and said thank you. It was as if he had known he’d never see her again. The very next day, he went into hospice and passed away less than 24 hours later at 63 years old. By then, Kathleen had not been on schedule with what I’m sure was her much-needed day off. I was sorry that she was not there for his final moments, but the final moments she did have with us were filled not only with a kind and caring heart, but with a smile and an amazing personality.

In closing, we would like you to know that Kathleen Keogh, R.N., is not only an asset to Hackensack Meridian but to the families of her patients and the lives she touches each day. If she ever doubts her career choice, may she always know that she made the correct one. May God bless her on her continued path of nursing care, as she will always be an angel to our family.