Michael, Nurse Kathy McGraw along with other medical personnel at Brotman Burn Center

Source: www.peoplespressnews.com

From:  bestofmichaeljackson.jclondon.com

 

Nurse of Michael Jackson Shares Memories

“Maggie’s Corner”
A 911 Reaches Kathy McGrath In More Ways Than One.
By: Maggie Griffin

Meeting with Kathy McGrath, former Nurse of Michael Jackson when he was treated for burn injuries, I will admit she is a very extraordinary woman. Going back 25 years of Kathy’s career is a career that means more to her then anyone can imagine. Her career in nursing touched the lives of hundreds of people, including Michael Jackson, her patient in 1984.

Kathy McGrath, born August 12, 1954 in Waterbury Connecticut , found her calling to enter the medical profession in her later teen years. She wanted to be a Medical Technologist. Following high school, Kathy attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing . A 1975 Graduate, she, along with 3 other peers from St. Mary’s School of Nursing , left for California . There is where Kathy was a Nurse at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills , Intensive Care Unit. This Center is known to be the hospital to the stars.

Kathy was also a Floating Intensive Care Nurse where she would be called to duty to other medical facilities, including the Intensive Care Unit at Brothrotmen Medical Center, the Center where Entertainer Michael Jackson was admitted when he suffered burn injuries to his head during the making the a Pepsi Commercial in 1984. Kathy, being a fan of Michael Jackson, did not expect that Michael Jackson was going to be one of her patients. Jackson was placed in a private room, room number 3307, where he became the patient of Kathy McGrath. As Kathy McGrath, 29 at the time, quoted in The February, 1984 issue of People’s Magazine about Michael Jackson when he suffered burn injuries to his head: “He was still pretty shaken up and cold, so we put about five blankets on him.”

 

During my conversation with Kathy McGrath, she relived her experience as Michael Jackson’s nurse. “He was at the height of his career. Being his nurse was an awesome and honorable experience as his music touched me all my life”, said McGrath.

Kathy also emphasized one important fact; “As awesome and honorable it was that Michael Jackson was my patient, regardless of him being a celebrity, I automatically went into Nurse Mode. It was important that he had a private room to allow me to care for him and his burn injuries appropriately without interruptions. It is a challenge when giving medical care to burn victims as burn victims can also have other complications related to burn injuries. My job was to make sure all my patients received immediate, top and best medical care, including Michael.”

Another patient of McGrath, during the same time Jackson was her patient, is a man by the name of Keith Perry who suffered 90% of burns on his body. “Dr. Steven Hoefflin was Michael’s Plastic Surgeon at the time. Michael visited Keith Perry a couple of times during his stay in the medical facility, he cared about him and many others who were being treated for burns”, said McGrath.

Kathy McGrath loved her nursing career in an intensive care unit. She found it not only fascinating, but a career that touched her heart in more ways than one, especially to burn victims. She cared about all of them and treated well over 100 burn patients with immediate medical care. She also specialized in Endoscopy as well. Her career in the medical profession, and how serious she took the medical profession, made a difference for many. Kathy sets the example why all patients, no matter who they are, where they come from or what they do for a living, deserve immediate medical care in emergency situations. She made sure she gave immediate medical care to her patients because that is what was most important to her during her nursing career.

Although Kathy is still a licensed Nurse, she embarked on helping people in another area of expertise, Real Estate. Kathy is a REALTOR for Hometown Realtors, LLC in Naugatuck , owned by her Husband Ken Teach. As a seasoned Real Estate Professional, she takes this same quality of care at heart and applies it to bringing immediate service and attention to her real estate clients, clients who she is honored to be a part of when buying or selling real estate. McGrath quotes “My clients are important to me. Buying and selling real estate is one of the most important decisions in one’s life time. There is no hesitation when it comes to providing immediate real estate service to my clients”.

When I asked Kathy what all her recognitions were in both her nursing and real estate career, Kathy stated she does not believe in personal recognition. “Recognition is not what it is about. What is important to me is the importance of immediate attention and care I provided to my patients during my Nursing Career. I continue to provide immediate attention and care to my clients when it comes to their real estate needs today in my Real Estate Career”, said McGrath.

One’s Life and Life Time – Kathy is a woman of many ventures that touches the hearts of several people. Helping People is what it’s all about. Kathy puts the needs of others before her own. When I sat with Kathy, talking to her about her career in both nursing and real estate, I felt more than honored. Looking at photos as she was sharing with me the past 25 years of her life, I found her devotion to others amazing. It was remarkable for me to talk to Kathy about the past 25 years of her life in Nursing and now in Real Estate.

Kathy also shared with me her memorabilia’s such as the People’s Magazine dated back February of 1984 where she was mentioned being Michael Jackson’s Nurse. She also shared pictures, such as one with her and other staff members with Michael Jackson in the medical facility where Jackson was admitted prior to receiving out-patient care for his burn injuries.

Michael, Nurse Kathy McGraw along with other medical personnel at Brotman Burn Center

Turning one of the photos over is where I read in Michael Jackson’s hand writing to Kathy McGrath:
“Thank You, I Love You – Michael Jackson”

There is a message Kathy McGrath wants to give to the Jackson family. That message is: “My heart and prayers goes out to the entire Jackson Family for the loss of Michael. No matter what, they are a family and family comes first.”

Kathy McGrath, Nurse of burn victims that included the legendary entertainer Michael Jackson, is also Kathy McGrath, REALTOR for Hometown Realtors, LLC in Naugatuck Connecticut . She is also The State President of The Woman’s Council of REALTORs, A Designated Accredited Buyers Specialist (ABR), e-Pro, A Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI), Designated in Performance Management Network (PMI) and A Seller’s Representative Specialist (SRS).

Kathy McGrath “Never Can Say Good Bye” as Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 sang in a song. Kathy is and always will be a woman who will always climb levels to help others. I found her accomplishments to be amazing, to conclude behind those accomplishments is her care to provide immediate attention to help others. I am certain she will have more accomplishments to come. She is a prime example of what dedication is for millions. I am honored and blessed to be a friend of Kathy McGrath.

Michael Jackson – Thank you for giving us your gift of music, sharing your heart and caring for people. We love you too. You will always be there.