Megumi Rau
January 2026
Megumi
Rau
,
RN
Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire
EAU CLAIRE
,
WI
United States
When the child resisted inhalers, Megumi collaborated with the provider to ensure a spacer with mask and a home nebulizer were prescribed—matching therapy to the patient’s developmental needs and family context.
Megumi cared for a four-year-old patient from a Swahili-speaking refugee family who had moved to the area in October 2025. The child had a history of asthma that had been poorly controlled, and at the family’s initial visit, it became clear that caregivers were unfamiliar with the prescribed inhalers, their purpose, and proper use.
When the child returned a month later with an asthma flare amid a URI, the provider ordered a nurse visit, where Megumi stepped in to close critical gaps in understanding and access. Recognizing that our usual education materials were not available in the family’s language, Megumi created an individualized education plan in advance of the visit and arranged a Swahili phone interpreter. She taught the family the basics of asthma and inhaler technique, demonstrated device use, and provided a personalized asthma action plan along with a medication administration form for the school. When the child resisted inhalers, Megumi collaborated with the provider to ensure a spacer with mask and a home nebulizer were prescribed—matching therapy to the patient’s developmental needs and family context. During the visit, mom repeatedly expressed appreciation, with tears in her eyes.
Megumi recognized that their language barrier may have hindered their ability to access appropriate medical resources, likely contributing to repeated uncontrolled asthma. Throughout the visit, the child’s mother repeatedly expressed heartfelt gratitude for the clarity and kindness Megumi brought to their experience, as well as relief that their child will be better able to control their asthma symptoms.
Megumi’s care exemplifies Mayo Clinic’s primary value—the needs of the patient come first—and our RICH TIES values in action: Respect for culture and language, Compassion and Healing through patient-centered education, Teamwork in coordinating resources, Innovation in tailoring teaching tools, and Excellence in clinical follow-through. She identified subtle barriers, mobilized resources, and built the family’s confidence to manage asthma safely at home and at school. This is extraordinary nursing that transforms outcomes and trust.
When the child returned a month later with an asthma flare amid a URI, the provider ordered a nurse visit, where Megumi stepped in to close critical gaps in understanding and access. Recognizing that our usual education materials were not available in the family’s language, Megumi created an individualized education plan in advance of the visit and arranged a Swahili phone interpreter. She taught the family the basics of asthma and inhaler technique, demonstrated device use, and provided a personalized asthma action plan along with a medication administration form for the school. When the child resisted inhalers, Megumi collaborated with the provider to ensure a spacer with mask and a home nebulizer were prescribed—matching therapy to the patient’s developmental needs and family context. During the visit, mom repeatedly expressed appreciation, with tears in her eyes.
Megumi recognized that their language barrier may have hindered their ability to access appropriate medical resources, likely contributing to repeated uncontrolled asthma. Throughout the visit, the child’s mother repeatedly expressed heartfelt gratitude for the clarity and kindness Megumi brought to their experience, as well as relief that their child will be better able to control their asthma symptoms.
Megumi’s care exemplifies Mayo Clinic’s primary value—the needs of the patient come first—and our RICH TIES values in action: Respect for culture and language, Compassion and Healing through patient-centered education, Teamwork in coordinating resources, Innovation in tailoring teaching tools, and Excellence in clinical follow-through. She identified subtle barriers, mobilized resources, and built the family’s confidence to manage asthma safely at home and at school. This is extraordinary nursing that transforms outcomes and trust.