Ashley G Schumacher
May 2026
Ashley G
Schumacher
,
RN
Labor and Delivery
Tucson Medical Center
Tucson
,
AZ
United States
I made it through a scary medical emergency emotionally unscathed because of Ashley.
I would like to recognize Ashley Schumacher, the nurse who took care of me during the delivery of my son.
Words can not properly express my gratitude to Ashley for providing exceptional medical care as well as emotional support during a difficult labor that turned into an emergency situation at delivery. Although I experienced a physically traumatic birth situation, it was because of Ashley that I was able to avoid significant emotional trauma.
When Ashley started her shift, I had already been in labor induction for over 24 hours. Prior to her arrival, my son had flipped to breech during the induction, and I had been prepped for the OR for cesarean delivery before my OBGYN, Dr. W, was able to manually turn the baby back to head down. The induction had been back on for most of the day with little progression.
At nighttime, Dr. T and nurse Ashley took over my care. It was obvious that they both respected one another and communicated well, which made me feel safe and in capable hands. Dr. T determined that while my son was in cephalic position, his head was turned slightly, causing labor to not progress. Ashley promised me she would do everything possible to try to get the baby into the correct position.
Without fail, every 30 minutes, Ashley came into the room with another nurse and turned me to a different position. Due to the epidural, I was not able to move myself. Previously, I had expressed to Ashley how helpless I felt not being able to move my own body. I'm sure it was difficult to lift me so much, but being always professional and kind, Ashley and the other nurses went out of their way to make me feel less self-conscious and never let on if it was physically challenging for them.
Eventually, due to Ashley's vigilant care and tireless effort, my baby boy came into position, causing me to quickly fully dilate, and it was time to push. Ashley was an expert coach in helping me with the proper breathing to push effectively. Three pushes, and my son was born.
Almost immediately after he was out, I began to hemorrhage. I remember Ashley's voice calling for backup. She said, "Can we please have all available friends for help?" I think about this a lot after. I knew it was a serious situation, but Ashley's calm voice requesting help from "friends" kept me calm.
Soon, the room was full of people all working together. Everyone was focused and calm. While I was scared, their professionalism and kindness kept me from panicking. Ashley and Dr. T kept me informed of everything that was happening, just the way I had requested to stay informed. They explained how my placenta needed to be removed, and they explained that they were placing a JADA in my uterus to try to stop the bleeding. Dr. T explained that we may need to go to the OR if they cannot stop the bleeding soon.
I told Ashley I was scared, and she assured me that everyone was focused on my care. Thankfully, the bleeding did stop, and I avoided the OR. When I think about that time, it is Ashley I think of, calm and in control, making me feel safe and keeping me informed. While it was a scary thing to happen, I truly felt cared for.
I made it through a scary medical emergency emotionally unscathed because of Ashley. This is amazing because as I heal and regain strength physically, I am filled only with emotions of gratitude. Ashley demonstrated that you can provide excellent medical care and simultaneous emotional support at the same time, treating me always like a whole person.
The next night, while recovering in Mother Baby, Ashley came to visit me. She didn't have to do that, but she truly cared about how I was recovering. I was able to ask her a few more things about what happened in the delivery and gain some more clarity. This was essential to me in processing the event. (Dr. T also visited me and helped with this, too.) It was so apparent to me that Ashley truly cares about her patients, and that care changed my life. My family is forever grateful to her.
Lastly, although this nomination is for Ashley, the MVP, I would be remiss without recognizing a few other team members who also provided exceptional care. I am forever grateful for the care I recieved.
Words can not properly express my gratitude to Ashley for providing exceptional medical care as well as emotional support during a difficult labor that turned into an emergency situation at delivery. Although I experienced a physically traumatic birth situation, it was because of Ashley that I was able to avoid significant emotional trauma.
When Ashley started her shift, I had already been in labor induction for over 24 hours. Prior to her arrival, my son had flipped to breech during the induction, and I had been prepped for the OR for cesarean delivery before my OBGYN, Dr. W, was able to manually turn the baby back to head down. The induction had been back on for most of the day with little progression.
At nighttime, Dr. T and nurse Ashley took over my care. It was obvious that they both respected one another and communicated well, which made me feel safe and in capable hands. Dr. T determined that while my son was in cephalic position, his head was turned slightly, causing labor to not progress. Ashley promised me she would do everything possible to try to get the baby into the correct position.
Without fail, every 30 minutes, Ashley came into the room with another nurse and turned me to a different position. Due to the epidural, I was not able to move myself. Previously, I had expressed to Ashley how helpless I felt not being able to move my own body. I'm sure it was difficult to lift me so much, but being always professional and kind, Ashley and the other nurses went out of their way to make me feel less self-conscious and never let on if it was physically challenging for them.
Eventually, due to Ashley's vigilant care and tireless effort, my baby boy came into position, causing me to quickly fully dilate, and it was time to push. Ashley was an expert coach in helping me with the proper breathing to push effectively. Three pushes, and my son was born.
Almost immediately after he was out, I began to hemorrhage. I remember Ashley's voice calling for backup. She said, "Can we please have all available friends for help?" I think about this a lot after. I knew it was a serious situation, but Ashley's calm voice requesting help from "friends" kept me calm.
Soon, the room was full of people all working together. Everyone was focused and calm. While I was scared, their professionalism and kindness kept me from panicking. Ashley and Dr. T kept me informed of everything that was happening, just the way I had requested to stay informed. They explained how my placenta needed to be removed, and they explained that they were placing a JADA in my uterus to try to stop the bleeding. Dr. T explained that we may need to go to the OR if they cannot stop the bleeding soon.
I told Ashley I was scared, and she assured me that everyone was focused on my care. Thankfully, the bleeding did stop, and I avoided the OR. When I think about that time, it is Ashley I think of, calm and in control, making me feel safe and keeping me informed. While it was a scary thing to happen, I truly felt cared for.
I made it through a scary medical emergency emotionally unscathed because of Ashley. This is amazing because as I heal and regain strength physically, I am filled only with emotions of gratitude. Ashley demonstrated that you can provide excellent medical care and simultaneous emotional support at the same time, treating me always like a whole person.
The next night, while recovering in Mother Baby, Ashley came to visit me. She didn't have to do that, but she truly cared about how I was recovering. I was able to ask her a few more things about what happened in the delivery and gain some more clarity. This was essential to me in processing the event. (Dr. T also visited me and helped with this, too.) It was so apparent to me that Ashley truly cares about her patients, and that care changed my life. My family is forever grateful to her.
Lastly, although this nomination is for Ashley, the MVP, I would be remiss without recognizing a few other team members who also provided exceptional care. I am forever grateful for the care I recieved.