Kathleen Lasater, RN

I would like to nominate the incredible nurse who cared for me during the birth of my daughter. She may not remember me, but I will never forget her. I had a difficult and exhausting labor after being induced. My epidural failed multiple times, my blood pressure kept dropping, I was throwing up, and I was becoming extremely lightheaded, exhausted, scared, and overwhelmed. In the middle of what was one of the most vulnerable and physically difficult experiences of my life, she was exactly the kind of nurse every patient hopes to have. She went far beyond simply caring for me medically. She stayed by my side, held my hand, reassured me, talked me through everything, and made sure I never felt alone. She constantly made me feel safe, seen, and cared for. Even though I was exhausted and scared, her presence gave me comfort and security I will never forget.

What stands out most is that she made me feel like more than just another patient. She cared for me as a person and made sure my daughter and I were safe and well cared for. Her compassion, patience, and genuine kindness made an enormous difference when I needed it most. I remember being genuinely sad when the shift changed, and I had to leave her care. That is how much of an impact she had on me in such a short amount of time. She made an incredibly difficult labor feel less frightening and, somehow, turned it into an experience that I can look back on with so much gratitude. I may not know if she remembers me, but she will always be the world while making sure I felt safe, supported, and cared for every step of the way. I tell every mom I know who plans to give birth at JBER that if they get her as one of their nurses, they are in great hands. I can never fully thank her for what she did for us, but I hope this nomination reminds her that her care truly matters. Nurses like her leave an impact on families that lasts far beyond their shift. She was an absolute gift to me during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life, and I will forever be grateful that she was my nurse.