September 2026 Honoree
Abi Kim, RN
I was just 2 months postpartum when I admitted myself to the York Hospital Behavioral Health unit. To this day, the postpartum period has been the most difficult experience of my life. I was struggling with severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder and felt I had no other option than going to the hospital. I didn't understand what was happening to me. I thought I was losing my mind, completely alone, and that I would never get better.
I met Abi Kim when she was my nurse during a few of her shifts. I always had questions about my medications, and she took the time to answer them. If she didn't know the answer, she researched it and got back to me. Talking with her felt like talking with a longtime friend, even though we had just met.
What stood out most was her willingness to share her own story. Abi told me about her experience with postpartum challenges and reassured me that I wasn't alone; there was hope, and things would get better. For the first time, I felt truly seen. I had not told anyone other than my husband what I was going through because I felt ashamed.
I met many incredible nurses on that unit who made me feel safe and cared for during one of the scariest times of my life, but Abi stood out.
When I was discharged a week later, I was terrified to go home. Abi encouraged me and gave me the confidence to believe in myself and return home to my sweet baby boy. She printed "mommy to-do" lists for me to take home and use as a tool to manage the challenges of being a new mom. They gave me a place to write down goals, track tasks, and express my emotions.
Before I left, Abi gave me a big hug. I could feel her genuine love and support, mom to mom, woman to woman, human to human.
What initially felt like an unfamiliar place became warmer because of Abi and the other nurses who treated me with kindness and offered words of encouragement when I needed them most.
I simply want to say thank you to Abi and those special nurses. Thank you for being not only exceptional nurses, but exceptional human beings. I will always remember the kindness you showed me and the light you brought into my life when all I could see was darkness.
I met Abi Kim when she was my nurse during a few of her shifts. I always had questions about my medications, and she took the time to answer them. If she didn't know the answer, she researched it and got back to me. Talking with her felt like talking with a longtime friend, even though we had just met.
What stood out most was her willingness to share her own story. Abi told me about her experience with postpartum challenges and reassured me that I wasn't alone; there was hope, and things would get better. For the first time, I felt truly seen. I had not told anyone other than my husband what I was going through because I felt ashamed.
I met many incredible nurses on that unit who made me feel safe and cared for during one of the scariest times of my life, but Abi stood out.
When I was discharged a week later, I was terrified to go home. Abi encouraged me and gave me the confidence to believe in myself and return home to my sweet baby boy. She printed "mommy to-do" lists for me to take home and use as a tool to manage the challenges of being a new mom. They gave me a place to write down goals, track tasks, and express my emotions.
Before I left, Abi gave me a big hug. I could feel her genuine love and support, mom to mom, woman to woman, human to human.
What initially felt like an unfamiliar place became warmer because of Abi and the other nurses who treated me with kindness and offered words of encouragement when I needed them most.
I simply want to say thank you to Abi and those special nurses. Thank you for being not only exceptional nurses, but exceptional human beings. I will always remember the kindness you showed me and the light you brought into my life when all I could see was darkness.
Thank you, Abi, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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