I recently delivered my second child and carried many negative feelings and concerns from my previous birth experience. From the moment I stepped into triage, Ronnalee was my rock. She greeted me with a smile, her calm confidence shining through, and was compassionate, patient, and attentive. She took the time to listen to my history and every concern I had, repeating them back to me and explaining everything that was happening. When I was not able to express or unsure how to advocate for myself, she readily became my voice.

As delivery time approached, so did the end of Ronnalee’s shift. She never left my side, even saying at one point, “I’m not leaving here until she delivers,” and stayed over an hour past her shift to help me through the birth of my son. Without Ronnalee, the experience of bringing my little boy into this world would not have been as positive as it was. She helped me navigate one of the scariest times of my life, going above and beyond for me and my family. This is the kind of nurse the unit should be proud to spotlight.