Susan Koerner
October 2022
Susan
Koerner
,
BSN, RN
3 AB
Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital
Huntley
,
IL
United States
Susan went above and beyond, inquiring about my diagnosis, asking questions about our journey, and genuinely caring about our situation.
I am 37 years old and when I was in my first trimester, I had routine bloodwork done that revealed an elevated WBC. That test led to countless others and an eventual diagnosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia while in my first trimester. Needless to say, that was the last thing we thought would happen as I had no symptoms at the time and CML often affects people over 65. I was worried for myself, but more importantly the health of my unborn baby.
Upon arriving at the hospital for my induction, the hours ticked by. We went through 2 shifts of nurses and still no baby. The 3rd team arrived and we met Susan. One of the first things she said was, “Don’t worry, we’re having this baby on my shift. I’ve got you.” It instantly put us at ease and little did we know, she would be right. Susan went above and beyond, inquiring about my diagnosis, asking questions about our journey, and genuinely caring about our situation. She stayed with us during the wee hours of the night assuring us everything would be fine.
Once we had the baby, we were exhausted after 29 hours in L&D. Susan volunteered to take the baby so we could get some sleep. She and the other nurses made the sweetest card for us with little hand and footprints. And most importantly, my husband and I got to rest and recover. The next night, Susan was back and after letting us get a good night's sleep, she came in the next day with Banana Muffins and showed us how to give little V a bath. She even personally walked us to the postpartum wing and ensured we were taken care of.
After we returned home, we received a letter in the mail a few days later from the nurses and from Susan letting us know she was praying for us. This level of care, the level of humanity, and the amount of time she spent ensuring my husband and I and our newborn baby were comfortable and cared for really stuck out to me. She is the perfect example of whom you want on your care team. Someone you have confidence in and you know is there holding your hand every step of the way. Susan is the perfect nominee for the DAISY Award and I am forever grateful for her care while we were at Huntley Hospital.
Upon arriving at the hospital for my induction, the hours ticked by. We went through 2 shifts of nurses and still no baby. The 3rd team arrived and we met Susan. One of the first things she said was, “Don’t worry, we’re having this baby on my shift. I’ve got you.” It instantly put us at ease and little did we know, she would be right. Susan went above and beyond, inquiring about my diagnosis, asking questions about our journey, and genuinely caring about our situation. She stayed with us during the wee hours of the night assuring us everything would be fine.
Once we had the baby, we were exhausted after 29 hours in L&D. Susan volunteered to take the baby so we could get some sleep. She and the other nurses made the sweetest card for us with little hand and footprints. And most importantly, my husband and I got to rest and recover. The next night, Susan was back and after letting us get a good night's sleep, she came in the next day with Banana Muffins and showed us how to give little V a bath. She even personally walked us to the postpartum wing and ensured we were taken care of.
After we returned home, we received a letter in the mail a few days later from the nurses and from Susan letting us know she was praying for us. This level of care, the level of humanity, and the amount of time she spent ensuring my husband and I and our newborn baby were comfortable and cared for really stuck out to me. She is the perfect example of whom you want on your care team. Someone you have confidence in and you know is there holding your hand every step of the way. Susan is the perfect nominee for the DAISY Award and I am forever grateful for her care while we were at Huntley Hospital.