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October 18, 2024, Las Vegas, Nevada – Sister Kathleen “Katie” McGrail, OP, was recognized by Nevada Business Magazine last month as one of 10 Healthcare Heroes in Southern Nevada for 2024. Sister Katie, who has ministered for 14 years at Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Hospitals was recognized in the volunteer category. 

Nearly 400 people attended the awards presentation, which also included dinner and a live auction. 

“It has been a joy for me to work alongside the staff,” Sister Katie said when she received the award. “I do what I do because I am inspired by my co-workers, by their dedication and commitment. They bring heart, compassion, and care to their service.”

Sister Katie first came to St. Rose Dominican Hospitals to serve as Vice President of Mission at the Siena Campus. She oversaw several hospital expansions and, for years, chaired the Dignity Health Community Grant Awards program. Until 2019, when sponsorship was transferred to CommonSpirit Health, St. Rose Dominican Hospitals was sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. 

Sister Katie said her time at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals was her first experience of ministering in the healthcare field, but she has always drawn on her experience as an educator even in this new field. As Vice President of Mission, she brought the spirit of the Adrian Dominican Sisters to Board members and staff. She continues to share the Dominican heritage with the hospital community.    

Now Sister Katie ministers as a health educator, co-facilitating classes for seniors. These include a fall prevention class and cognitive stimulation therapy for those who are in the early stages of dementia. The classes are part of the hospital’s Community Health Department. “They’re programs trying to keep our people out of our hospitals” and healthy and independent, she said. 

She and Sister Mary Jean Williams, OP, also teach skills to caregivers, “mainly to give them skills to take care of themselves” as they’re caring for their loved ones, Sister Katie explained. “I’m so inspired when I leave the caregivers course, just hearing of the love they have for the people they care for. That always touches my heart.”

In addition, Sister Katie helps to train Senior Peer Counselors through an intense program of 17 three-hour sessions. The 22 peer counselors meet monthly to share their experiences of working with other seniors, who may suffer from problems such as loneliness, separation from their family, and transition to retirement, Sister Katie said. “They share what’s going on with their clients and they get feedback,” she explained. 

“I never thought I’d be in healthcare, but when you’re in an actual hospital setting, you realize the vulnerability of the people,” Sister Katie said. “It’s a time when they touch in with their values and their lives and what’s important to them.” 

Sister Katie said she is inspired by the staff. “It’s a real call – not just a job or a profession,” she said, recalling the selfless dedication of the staff, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. “They have great concern, and yet they’re dealing with the challenges of healthcare and being able to survive this time of so much competition. It’s a faith-based mission, and we’re giving from ourselves, from the heart, going to the heart of the mission.” 

 

Caption for above feature photo: Attending the award ceremony for Sister Kathleen “Katie” McGrail, OP, are seated, from left, Sister Jean Williams, OP; Phil Bonino, Chief Nurse Executive, Rose de Lima Hospital; Tom Burns, President, San Martin Hospital and Rosa de Lima Hospital; and Chad Warren, President, St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation. Standing, from left, are Sister Elisabeth Nguyen, OP; Associate Holly Lyman, Community Health Director, Dignity Health Nevada; Sister Katie McGrail, OP; Coy Raiford, Interim Mission Leader, Dignity Health Nevada; and Gordon Absher, External Communications Manager, Dignity Health Central Region.
Photo Courtesy of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals