Kathleen Sexton

Nursing Area: Med-Surg (South 3)

Years of Service: 30

Nomination: My husband was admitted to the hospital on February 15th after an appendix rupture. He got emergency surgery and was assigned to room 358 in the south building. He was very nervous and scared because it was his first time staying in a hospital and he didn’t speak English. I could not stay with him because we were not ready for a hospital stay and I didn’t have any of the necessary items to stay overnight. 

The next day I came back to the hospital; he told me that he had a good night because God sent him an angel to take care of him. Crying, he told me that nurse Kathy makes him feel secure and safe, that she was available every time he needed her, that it was hard to try to share his needs with her because of the lack of English, but that Kathy made it work. She tried very hard to understand him and was very patient with him. She was sweet, loving, kind and he felt that his mom was in the room with him. He was not scared anymore because Kathy was here with him. 

The next night, he told me to go home and not worry because Kathy was there and he felt safe with her. Her patience, skill, and compassion made all the difference. Her expertise and calm presence helped him more than you know. What stood out most was her ability to make a difficult experience feel manageable. She anticipated his needs before he even called her, checked in with sincerity, and created a sense of safety that made a huge difference. 

The night that she was not around was not the same, Kathy always came with a smile and was available for anything without losing her smile. That is why we want to nominate her. She consistently went above and beyond in every interaction. Her professionalism was matched by genuine compassion — she listened, explained, reassured him, and treated him with dignity at every step. Even though he doesn’t speak English. 

Her skill, patience, and kindness reflect the very best of nursing. I am deeply grateful for the care she provided, and I believe she deserves recognition for the exceptional way she served my husband.