Working in the healthcare industry, I have seen many people perform their jobs: some who truly LOVE their profession and have a true calling for it. Dawn McElrath is exactly that. From the time I completed my pre-op to my last day of postpartum, she was nothing short of a miracle to me and my family. As my first son was delivered as an emergency C-section; I was apprehensive about a second C-section. Everything about my second delivery was picture perfect, particularly due to the compassion, love, and attention I felt from Dawn. She held my head and shoulders, wrapped herself around me while I was getting my epidural, her voice was soft and very calming, and she helped me focus on her and not the procedure. After my son was delivered, she paid special attention to my request and placed him on my chest, offering me skin to skin with my newborn. She made sure to capture the baby and my husband in numerous pictures when she got the chance.
After transferring to my room postpartum, she welcomed my entire family! She hugged all of them and explained everything she was doing. They were in awe of her knowledge, attention to detail, and how compassionate she was towards me. (This is from a family of multiple medical professionals!) I will be forever grateful to Dawn, for how she made me feel throughout my entire birthing experience. I hope that I can leave a mark on people's hearts the way she did on mine.
My family and I would wholeheartedly like to nominate Dawn McElrath for this award as she went above and beyond her duty to take care of me and my newborn son. I felt that I was being taken care of by my own family member during my stay at STCH thanks to Dawn. We Love you Dawn and forever thankful for your warmth, love, and everlasting touch. I'm so proud to have you also my colleague.