Peyton Kennedy, a registered nurse in the acute care unit at Taylorville Memorial Hospital, is the nonprofit hospital’s Colleague of the Month for February.

During the most recent COVID-19 surge, Kennedy’s responsibilities involved care for patients who had been intubated or who needed to be intubated. Many of Kennedy’s patients could not have loved ones with them during those difficult times in the patient’s care, said hospital officials. Kennedy seemed almost inexhaustible, officials said, as she provided comfort in place of patients’ families.

“This is difficult work,” said Lora Polley, director of ancillary services at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. “Even though Peyton is a relatively ‘new’ nurse, she demonstrated outstanding compassion and took exemplary care of her patients.”

Kennedy, of Taylorville, has worked at Taylorville Memorial Hospital since 2017.

Outside of work, she enjoys shopping, decorating for the holidays and playing with her chocolate lab, Ruger.