Throughout the spring and summer months, I’ve seen Kaitlin work with difficult and emergent deliveries. One night, she helped save a mother’s life when the patient came in, nearly unresponsive. Kaitlin quickly got the patient to the OR, where she was found to have a severe placental abruption. Kaitlin was calm and quick throughout the c-section and helped with the devastating one-hour resuscitation attempt on the preterm infant.

That same week, Kaitlin cared for another patient who lost her pregnancy. I heard from several staff members that Kaitlin was asking them if she could help them that week despite her painful experiences. Kaitlin exemplifies what is most beautiful in a labor nurse: deep compassion yet strong determination. She is always a gentle, calm presence for all patients, and she handles the worst days with grace.