Newsworthy

When a family at the Stormont Vail Health Birthplace in Topeka faced the heartbreaking reality of leaving the hospital without their baby, they found comfort in the care of Morgann McMurry, acute care RN.

Morgann cared for their son with tenderness and dignity, creating keepsakes and memories the family will treasure forever.

In their nomination, the family shared how Morgann sang to their baby, kept them informed throughout their stay, assembled a memory box filled with meaningful mementos, and walked alongside them through their final goodbye.

We’re honored to share Morgann’s story and grateful for the compassion she brings to patients and families every day.

Morgann’s Nomination

Morgann, our nurse after delivering Harry, was the sweetest and most caring human I’ve ever met. She treated Harry like any living child, talking to him, singing to him, and being as gentle as possible. She kept my husband and me informed of everything that was happening when they would leave the room with him.

As we prepared to leave the hospital, Morgann brought us a memory box filled with hair clippings, footprints and handprints, moldings of his little body, the blankets he wore in the hospital, and even a beautiful gown for us to bury him in. While this may seem like a small gesture, it held immense significance for us as those were the only memories we have of our son outside of photos.

When we finally had to make the impossible choice to leave the hospital without our baby, Morgann walked us out, allowing us to press the lullaby button. She took us through the employee elevators for our privacy and hugged and cried with us as we packed up our car.

I can only imagine how joyful and exciting a normal shift in labor and delivery would be. For Morgann to clock in and stand by our sides through the darkest day of our lives, and to be as empathetic and caring as she was, she deserves more than I could ever give her.