July 24, 2013

Kevin Keller, a former Good Samaritan nurse who recently passed away, has received the Good Samaritan Award by the hospital's Firestarters program.

The award is given as appropriate to someone who demonstrates TriHealth's mission and performs extraordinary acts of service excellence on or off duty.

A hospital team member since 19, Kevin first worked as a clinical nurse assistant before he graduated from Thomas Moore College and became a registered nurse at Good Samaritan.

Those who knew Kevin say he had a keen ability to ease anxiousness or pain in patients, inspired many team members and cared for the environment.

Kevin consistently maintained a positive attitude and a smile. He delivered meals on wheels and sometimes prayed with patients and families. On one occasion, he led a nervous patient - a former piano teacher - to the Dixmyth Lobby so she could play the piano and ease her anxiety.

He provided hope, healing and encouragement to his patients. One of them wrote in a letter, "Kevin cared for all his patients with a smile on his face. I remember his smile and that he took time to talk to everyone. He would take patients out to the hallway in a wheelchair just to get them outside of the room. He was loved by many family members, friends and coworkers. Kevin made people feel that they were important and well cared for. He had a special gift for caring."

Kevin also cared for his surroundings. An environmental steward, he gave up his car for a year and rode his bicycle to work - through rain, snow, heat - nothing stopped him.

Kevin later moved to California and worked in a hospital near Bakersfield. While there, he suddenly passed away at 25 years old. In the same good spirit of Kevin, when the coroner's daughter needed a car, Kevin's parents gave Kevin's car to her.

Kevin's mother, Julia, a Good Samaritan team member in the Pulmonary Department, accepted Kevin's award at a recent celebration.