My 86-year-old dad spent over two weeks at Mercy due to increased confusion with delirium. Though memory issues previously existed, they were minor. We were taken aback by how fast his condition progressed. We feel so fortunate to have had an excellent team of professionals supporting him, including 1:1s, doctors, PT, OT, and Social Work.

We do want to officially recognize Kayla, 4 West,  for the incredible work she did to support my dad. Kayla saw my dad as a person, not just a patient. She took the time to get to know him, to best meet his needs. She quickly learned he was a jokester and used humor and appropriate sarcasm, mixed with compassion, to help him feel comfortable and cared for.

She anticipated his needs and foreshadowed what she was doing and why. She sought to understand the function of his behavior, especially when he was at the height of his confusion. She always spoke with the utmost respect. All of these factors helped prevent further agitation on several occasions. Kayla advocated for my dad's needs by communicating with PT, Social Work, and other support personnel in a timely manner.

Not only did she take care of the numerous "bigger" tasks associated with her nursing role, but she also understood that the "little" things matter to a patient in a vulnerable situation. For a man who had just recently lost independence with mobility and his ability to confidently make decisions, she provided dignity. In addition, Kayla took the time to talk to my mom, brother, and I as we navigated the heart wrenching decision to transition him to memory care.

She was knowledgeable, skilled, and caring as she guided us through this process. No matter how busy she was with other patients/duties, she would frequently pop her head in his room and ask if we needed anything. Her expertise, compiled with her work ethic and compassionate personality, make her very deserving of this award.