McKenna Kirkpatrick
July 2025
McKenna
Kirkpatrick
,
RN
Maternal Child Services
Atrium Health Pineville
Charlotte
,
NC
United States

 

 

 

Her quick thinking, confidence, and skill were pivotal in keeping me stable and alive.
After the birth of my son, I had the privilege of being cared for by McKenna, whose extraordinary, compassionate care made an unforgettable impact on my birth experience, particularly when an unexpected and life-threatening complication occurred.
About four hours after my delivery, I began to feel unwell, experiencing nausea and some bleeding. McKenna, noticing my distress, reassured me with calm, empathetic words and swiftly took action to provide medication for the nausea. When I mentioned the bleeding, she responded promptly, assessing the situation with both care and urgency. She immediately realized that I was hemorrhaging and, without hesitation, called for the necessary medical assistance to stabilize me.
What stood out most was McKenna’s ability to balance her clinical expertise with deep compassion. As my condition worsened, she remained by my side throughout the entire emergency response. She kept me calm by explaining each step of the process and ensuring that I was aware of everything happening, even as I began to fade in and out of consciousness. Her thoroughness was evident as she collaborated with the rest of the team, recounting vital information about my medical history and the medications I had been given during labor.
McKenna’s professionalism and expertise were nothing short of lifesaving. I was later told that situations like mine, with hemorrhaging occurring four hours after birth in the postpartum unit, were rare and could have had catastrophic consequences. Her quick thinking, confidence, and skill were pivotal in keeping me stable and alive.
Beyond the immediate care, McKenna showed a level of compassion that went beyond her clinical duties. She made sure to check in on me frequently, keeping close tabs on my recovery. But what truly touched me was that she returned to visit me, my husband, and our new son before we were discharged. It was a deeply moving gesture, and we were all so happy to see her again. I was able to express my gratitude to her in person for her vital role in saving my life and ensuring a safe recovery.
McKenna is the epitome of what it means to provide compassionate, extraordinary care, and I cannot thank her enough for her unwavering dedication during a time of great vulnerability.