Lori's recent act of heroism one night in the Birthing Center was an example all nurses (new and old) can learn from.

A patient's significant other called to say that he was on the way to the hospital with his girlfriend who was in labor. He was scared because she was really hurting and her water had just broken in the car. Over the phone, Lori coached the boyfriend on being calm and safe. Then she went into action preparing a room for an imminent delivery.

Upon arrival, Lori was immediately at the bedside to assess the patient. She found that the fetal heart tones were in the 60's (definitely not normal) and diagnosed shoulder dystocia. She again went into clinical expertise mode. Based on her knowledge, she knew this baby had to come out now and encouraged the mother to push, despite the physician being 15 minutes away.

She took control of the situation coaching the mother, directing the other nurse and OB tech to certain tasks while remaining calm and focused on getting the baby out. She expertly delivered the shoulders and cut the cord on the perineum (it was around the baby's body and part of the neck) and the baby was not breathing. She resuscitated the baby and both mom and baby were stabilized.

To top it off, she went back to the mom after the baby was OK and explained to her what happened and why she was so adamant about her staying focused. Lori made a difference that night to her fellow nurses as she demonstrated excellence in care and she will be forever bonded with these new parents who stated that she saved both mom and baby's life and without her quick thinking and natural effort, we may have lost both of them.