May 2026 Honoree
Kate Heald, RN
My husband and I were told that our almost 33-week-old, perfectly healthy baby had no heartbeat. I was admitted to my hospital room around midnight and spent the next 7 sleepless and mentally excruciating hours wondering how my husband and I were going to possibly survive this devastation. I met my answer at shift change.
She immediately greeted me with a hug, her condolences, and the kindest words of support. I knew from that moment that I was in the best possible hands. What I didn’t realize was how much of an impact she was going to have on me not only during my hospital stay, but for the days following and likely for the rest of my life.
While in Katie’s care, she went above and beyond to make sure I was physically and emotionally doing the best I could, given the circumstances. She provided exactly the same level of care to my husband and mother, who were there for me for the entirety of my stay. There was never a time when I felt nervous, scared, or uneasy under her care – even though I was going through an absolute living hell. She made me feel safe, empowered, and reassured – always reminding me that I was not alone. She walked me through every step of what was expected during my son's delivery and always made sure my husband and I had no questions or worries about what was to come. When it was time for her to go home for the day, she introduced me to my evening nurse and reassured me that I was still under the best care, though I wish she could’ve stayed by my side. As we said our goodbyes for the evening, she gave me the biggest hug and reminded me again with the words that physically and mentally got me through the next 12 hours – you are not alone.
My beautiful angel son arrived at 11:30 pm. During his delivery, Katie’s encouraging words played over and over in my head while I was going through the most traumatic and devastating moments of my life. Though I wish so very much she could’ve been there to meet our son when he made his way into the world, I felt peace knowing she would be there in the morning for my family and me again.
The next morning came quickly, even though time seemed to move in slow motion. When Katie made her first visit to my room, she immediately gave me another teary hug before meeting my angel for the first time. Though the whole morning is still very blurry for me, it was filled with so much love. She was even kind enough to take pictures of my husband and I with our angel baby which meant more to me than I could ever explain. I will cherish the pictures forever. Before we were discharged, she once again went through some of the toughest but necessary information that we needed to know. She did so with such grace that I was at peace and never had any questions or concerns about what was to come next in this process.
As my husband and I said our final goodbyes to our son, she reassured me she would take the best possible care of my angel, and I wholeheartedly believed her. There is not another person in this world whom I would’ve trusted more to leave my eternally resting baby with. It seemed as though she loved him as much as I did, which I will be forever grateful for.
As my husband, mother, and I made the mentally searing walk down to our truck, Katie was once again there every step of the way. Before getting into the car, she gave me one last teary hug and reminded me of the words still clutching me through each agonizing day – you are not alone.
My husband and I had picked out our son’s name for months. You could say that it was just a coincidence that our son’s first two initials, KD, sound almost exactly like the name Katie... but I think it was fate. I truly believe she is a living angel on earth, meant to care for my angel baby and me. I will never forget her, her care, her hugs, or her words. I can only hope one day if I am blessed with the chance to have another baby, that the stars align and Katie will be my nurse again.
There is not a soul on this earth who deserves this award more than Katie. I pray she is chosen and recognized as an absolutely outstanding nurse and even better human. She has made an incredible lasting impact on my life.
She immediately greeted me with a hug, her condolences, and the kindest words of support. I knew from that moment that I was in the best possible hands. What I didn’t realize was how much of an impact she was going to have on me not only during my hospital stay, but for the days following and likely for the rest of my life.
While in Katie’s care, she went above and beyond to make sure I was physically and emotionally doing the best I could, given the circumstances. She provided exactly the same level of care to my husband and mother, who were there for me for the entirety of my stay. There was never a time when I felt nervous, scared, or uneasy under her care – even though I was going through an absolute living hell. She made me feel safe, empowered, and reassured – always reminding me that I was not alone. She walked me through every step of what was expected during my son's delivery and always made sure my husband and I had no questions or worries about what was to come. When it was time for her to go home for the day, she introduced me to my evening nurse and reassured me that I was still under the best care, though I wish she could’ve stayed by my side. As we said our goodbyes for the evening, she gave me the biggest hug and reminded me again with the words that physically and mentally got me through the next 12 hours – you are not alone.
My beautiful angel son arrived at 11:30 pm. During his delivery, Katie’s encouraging words played over and over in my head while I was going through the most traumatic and devastating moments of my life. Though I wish so very much she could’ve been there to meet our son when he made his way into the world, I felt peace knowing she would be there in the morning for my family and me again.
The next morning came quickly, even though time seemed to move in slow motion. When Katie made her first visit to my room, she immediately gave me another teary hug before meeting my angel for the first time. Though the whole morning is still very blurry for me, it was filled with so much love. She was even kind enough to take pictures of my husband and I with our angel baby which meant more to me than I could ever explain. I will cherish the pictures forever. Before we were discharged, she once again went through some of the toughest but necessary information that we needed to know. She did so with such grace that I was at peace and never had any questions or concerns about what was to come next in this process.
As my husband and I said our final goodbyes to our son, she reassured me she would take the best possible care of my angel, and I wholeheartedly believed her. There is not another person in this world whom I would’ve trusted more to leave my eternally resting baby with. It seemed as though she loved him as much as I did, which I will be forever grateful for.
As my husband, mother, and I made the mentally searing walk down to our truck, Katie was once again there every step of the way. Before getting into the car, she gave me one last teary hug and reminded me of the words still clutching me through each agonizing day – you are not alone.
My husband and I had picked out our son’s name for months. You could say that it was just a coincidence that our son’s first two initials, KD, sound almost exactly like the name Katie... but I think it was fate. I truly believe she is a living angel on earth, meant to care for my angel baby and me. I will never forget her, her care, her hugs, or her words. I can only hope one day if I am blessed with the chance to have another baby, that the stars align and Katie will be my nurse again.
There is not a soul on this earth who deserves this award more than Katie. I pray she is chosen and recognized as an absolutely outstanding nurse and even better human. She has made an incredible lasting impact on my life.
Thank you, Kate, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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