Newsworthy

During a difficult pregnancy, one woman made several trips to Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus Labor and Delivery for observation. Each time, she saw the same nurse: Bethany Cooke, charge nurse.

Then, at 36 weeks and six days, the patient went into labor. Bethany was there for that, too.

With her active-duty military spouse away, the patient needed someone in her corner. Bethany held her patient’s hand through contractions, coached her through the birth of her son, and reassured her when she questioned whether she was doing enough.

And Bethany kept showing up. She checked in often and made sure her patient never felt alone.

“Being alone in the city, I needed her more than she knew,” the patient wrote in her nomination.

She called Bethany the cheerleader she hopes every mom who finds herself alone in the Birthplace gets to have.

Bethany may have happened to be on shift each time. But the way she showed up for this patient was anything but chance.

Read Bethany’s Full Nomination

Editor’s note: This nomination has been lightly edited for clarity and patient privacy.

I’m the wife of an active duty military member. I experienced a very rough pregnancy recently and ended up going into labor at 36 weeks, six days. Bethany happened to be on shift every time I was admitted for observation and, thankfully, when I went into labor with my son.

She held my hand through my contractions and coached me through his birth when it was time. She hugged me as I cried, assuring me that I was doing enough as a returning mom of a 20-year-old.

She checked on me so often, making sure I never felt alone during everything, and I can never say thank you enough. Being alone in the city, I needed her more than she knew.

I pray any alone mom in the birthing center has the pleasure to meet and have her as their cheerleader before during and after birth. We are beyond grateful!