September 2026 Honoree
Ellen Henry, RN
I was 16 when I had my first baby. I was young, terrified, and unsure of everything. There was one nurse who changed everything for me - Ellen Henry. I was a scared, young girl having a baby, and Ellen treated me with kindness and dignity when I felt judged. She advocated for me and made me feel seen, heard, and protected. Because of her, I left the hospital wanting to become a Labor & Delivery Nurse.
Twenty years later, I walked into this same hospital to have another baby. As I was checking in, I saw a familiar face and finally got the courage to ask if her name was Ellen. She smiled and said, “Yes.” I reminded her that when I was 16, she helped deliver my son. Before I could finish, she said, “Oh my gosh, I still talk about you! I use your experience to teach new nurses about the importance of advocating for their patients.”
A few hours later, after Ellen’s shift was done, she contacted the night nurse and requested my permission to send a picture to the night nurse to give to me. It was a card and baby photo I had given her after my son was born. Ellen had kept them for almost 20 years! I cried to know something I thought was a simple “thank you” had meant enough for her to keep all these years.
Ellen and so many other people unknowingly shaped the course of my life, and I did later become a nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner. This week reminded me that you never know how deeply your kindness, compassion, and advocacy will impact another person’s life – in one moment, one act, one patient.
Thank you for protecting me when I couldn’t protect myself. Thank you for reminding me why I chose this profession. Some heroes never wear capes. Sometimes… they wear scrubs.
Twenty years later, I walked into this same hospital to have another baby. As I was checking in, I saw a familiar face and finally got the courage to ask if her name was Ellen. She smiled and said, “Yes.” I reminded her that when I was 16, she helped deliver my son. Before I could finish, she said, “Oh my gosh, I still talk about you! I use your experience to teach new nurses about the importance of advocating for their patients.”
A few hours later, after Ellen’s shift was done, she contacted the night nurse and requested my permission to send a picture to the night nurse to give to me. It was a card and baby photo I had given her after my son was born. Ellen had kept them for almost 20 years! I cried to know something I thought was a simple “thank you” had meant enough for her to keep all these years.
Ellen and so many other people unknowingly shaped the course of my life, and I did later become a nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner. This week reminded me that you never know how deeply your kindness, compassion, and advocacy will impact another person’s life – in one moment, one act, one patient.
Thank you for protecting me when I couldn’t protect myself. Thank you for reminding me why I chose this profession. Some heroes never wear capes. Sometimes… they wear scrubs.
Thank you, Ellen, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
View More Honorees