When Whitney Ulanowski learned in early May that her father’s terminal cancer was accelerating, she had a heart wrenching realization: He wouldn’t live long enough to walk her down the aisle during her upcoming June wedding.
Ulanowski’s father, Terry Jorgensen, had been receiving palliative care at the Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center when the family discussed the upcoming wedding with his care team.
“There was real concern from Whitney that she and her fiancé Brandon were getting married at the end of June, and Terry might not make it,” said Amanda Harms, RN, a nurse on the palliative care team at the Roseville Medical Center.
When Ulanowski’s mother asked Harms later that day if the hospital had a chapel where her daughter could have a small wedding ceremony, Harms jumped into action.
“I said, ‘We can do more than that!’” Harms recalled. “We have this beautiful outdoor space we can use.”
Wedding planning was a team effort
When she mentioned it to colleagues, they all enthusiastically pitched in.
Amy Ellis, RN, decorated the area with flowers and ribbons. Sierra Baker, a medical social worker in palliative care, made bouquets for the mothers of the bride and groom, and the environmental services team used a pressure washer to clean the area. Kaprii Willis, LVN, had the special task of getting Jorgensen ready for the wedding, which they planned as a surprise.
“One of my favorite moments was when Terry was brought out of his room, and Whitney was standing there in her wedding dress,” said Harms. “She then asked, ‘Will you walk me down the aisle, Dad?’ It was really special.”
Ulanowski said, “My dad was just blown away. He had been in the hospital for 10 days at that point. And it was a big surprise for him.”
Looking back on how Kaiser Permanente’s palliative care team and many others put on a full wedding in a hospital brings tears to Ulanowski’s eyes. Her father died in early July.
“My dad was just everything to me,” Ulanowski said. “I told him many times, I am just so proud to be his daughter, and I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if he wasn’t my dad. Brandon knew he had to ask my dad for my hand and have my dad walk me down the aisle and give me away. It was so important to me for that to happen.”
When Ulanowski shows pictures of the wedding to her friends, they can’t believe it happened in a hospital.
“Amanda and her team did magic out there, honestly,” said Ulanowski. “They brought flowers, made decorations, and I didn’t have to do anything. And my dad was able to give me away.”
Ulanowski said she told her new husband that the wedding took so much stress away during such a hard time in her life.
“It’s been so challenging the past few months, and I am just so grateful my dad was taken care of here,” Ulanowski said. “We were given such a special moment together. I will always hold that close to my heart.”
Comments (6)
What a beautiful moment for that family. Magical. Well done, Amanda and team.
What a beautiful life event.
This article touched me. That nursing and hospital staff went above and beyond. They are so overworked. This story is very moving and says oh so much about the staff. What a beautiful gift the Roseville hospital staff gave this family. It is so lovely. How lucky are we to have such caring staff. Kindness is contagious. Congratulations to the newlyweds. Congratulations to Roseville Kaiser staff. Thanks for sharing such a heartwarming story.
OMG I cried and was so happy for everyone. I’m so proud to work for Kaiser and to know that people care, but this was true love for the happiness of others above and beyond their duties. I’m so thankful they did it. This act of kindness will touch so many peoples’ hearts that will read this and hear about this…Thank you, Roseville Kaiser employees. Thank you. I’m so touched and moved.
This article brought tears to my eyes and makes me even prouder to be a part of the KP family. It speaks to the heart of Kaiser Permanente. What better reflection of our commitment to not only being the best at providing quality care but also being the best at providing outstanding service. Despite the challenges that we face as an organization, we come together to leave our patients and their families better than we found them. Our people are the heart and soul of KP! Way to go KP Roseville. Job well done!
What a beautiful tribute to the Kaiser Roseville staff who so much of themselves to make this beautiful and very memorable wedding happen. What a special staff!! God bless you all.