McKenna Reed
March 2025
McKenna
Reed
,
RN
Neuro ICU
St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix
,
AZ
United States
Leaving the hospital without our Nana was incredibly difficult, but knowing she was in McKenna’s compassionate hands brought us comfort.
My 82-year-old grandmother was admitted to the hospital, and McKenna was the daytime nurse assigned to her care. From the start, she demonstrated exceptional attentiveness, respect, and compassion. However, it was the next day that McKenna truly left a lasting impact on our family.
That morning, our family made the difficult decision to remove my grandmother from the ventilator. McKenna was still on duty that day, and my aunts and uncles had agreed on 10:00 AM for the procedure. Around 9:30–9:45 AM, McKenna entered the room to inform us that she had a surgical patient next door and might be slightly delayed, but she would do everything possible to accommodate our timing. She wanted to ensure she was available for us during this difficult moment.
When the time came, McKenna went above and beyond to remain present. She arranged for another nurse to take her patient to surgery so she could be with us. After the respiratory team removed the ventilator, McKenna walked us through the process with patience and clarity. She stayed nearby, stepping out briefly but frequently checking in to ensure we had everything we needed. She explained what we were seeing on the monitors, prepared us for the unknown of the situation, and, most importantly, kept my grandmother comfortable. She provided necessary medication to ensure she felt no pain and showed unwavering empathy throughout the process.
After my grandmother passed, McKenna reassured us that we could take all the time we needed. There was no rush. Later, she returned with a touching keepsake—a small card with my grandmother’s fingerprint and a candle. This thoughtful gesture meant the world to us. When we asked for additional keepsakes for more of my grandmother’s grandchildren, she graciously accommodated our request.
Before we left, McKenna embraced both my aunt and me, offering words of comfort. She even asked what type of music my grandmother enjoyed so she could play it while preparing her for her final journey. This simple act of kindness spoke volumes about her dedication and the deep care she had for our family. Leaving the hospital without our Nana was incredibly difficult, but knowing she was in McKenna’s compassionate hands brought us comfort. McKenna was more than just a nurse—she felt like a member of our family during one of the most challenging moments of our lives.
To McKenna, we cannot thank you enough for your kindness, compassion, and unwavering support. And to Dignity Health, thank you for hiring such exceptional caregivers who truly make a difference.
That morning, our family made the difficult decision to remove my grandmother from the ventilator. McKenna was still on duty that day, and my aunts and uncles had agreed on 10:00 AM for the procedure. Around 9:30–9:45 AM, McKenna entered the room to inform us that she had a surgical patient next door and might be slightly delayed, but she would do everything possible to accommodate our timing. She wanted to ensure she was available for us during this difficult moment.
When the time came, McKenna went above and beyond to remain present. She arranged for another nurse to take her patient to surgery so she could be with us. After the respiratory team removed the ventilator, McKenna walked us through the process with patience and clarity. She stayed nearby, stepping out briefly but frequently checking in to ensure we had everything we needed. She explained what we were seeing on the monitors, prepared us for the unknown of the situation, and, most importantly, kept my grandmother comfortable. She provided necessary medication to ensure she felt no pain and showed unwavering empathy throughout the process.
After my grandmother passed, McKenna reassured us that we could take all the time we needed. There was no rush. Later, she returned with a touching keepsake—a small card with my grandmother’s fingerprint and a candle. This thoughtful gesture meant the world to us. When we asked for additional keepsakes for more of my grandmother’s grandchildren, she graciously accommodated our request.
Before we left, McKenna embraced both my aunt and me, offering words of comfort. She even asked what type of music my grandmother enjoyed so she could play it while preparing her for her final journey. This simple act of kindness spoke volumes about her dedication and the deep care she had for our family. Leaving the hospital without our Nana was incredibly difficult, but knowing she was in McKenna’s compassionate hands brought us comfort. McKenna was more than just a nurse—she felt like a member of our family during one of the most challenging moments of our lives.
To McKenna, we cannot thank you enough for your kindness, compassion, and unwavering support. And to Dignity Health, thank you for hiring such exceptional caregivers who truly make a difference.