Cecilia is an RN at Covenant Children's in Labor & Delivery. Months ago, she realized there were gaps in care for our patients in the hospital inpatient setting on antepartum. She presented this to leadership, and together, they created a plan for her to round the patients on Antepartum once a week. During this time, she works collaboratively with the patient and their support system to coordinate a plan of care. Cecilia provides the patients with support and education on the delivery process, coordinates tours in collaboration with other departments, and prepares them for the birthing and postpartum process.

Cecilia has bonded with many patients preparing for delivery, but she had a special connection with one of our long-term patients. This patient was on antepartum for roughly 60 days and during that time Cecilia saw her weekly. She assisted the patient with housing applications, took her on walks to the park, was a listening ear when she needed to talk, and empowered her to take steps towards independence. The patient was eventually discharged to return when she was in labor. When the patient returned for delivery, she came with no support. She asked the L&D nurse caring for her if Cecilia was working. Unfortunately, she was not working that day due to low unit census. Labor was happening fast, and delivery was imminent, so the patient's nurse reached out to Cecilia to see if she'd be willing to come in for a patient who had asked for her. Cecilia didn't even ask who the patient was; she just agreed to come in to be with her during the delivery. She stayed with the patient for the birth of her child and stayed until she had a support person come to her bedside.

This is just one example of how Cecilia serves our patients on a daily basis. She always makes herself available to help our unit, but more importantly, our patients. She is full of compassion and is an advocate for our expecting mothers.