This year for nurse appreciation week, I wanted to select a winner from a list of nurses nominated by people in our community that truly left an impact on their lives, to tell their story and showcase them. This could have been any nurse, however, 90% of the nominations were labor & delivery nurses, which is so fitting for having just had a baby myself. I received many outstanding nominations with great stories that I’m sure I will still get to tell this year because they’re too good not to, but Mercy One Waterloo Birth Center received numerous nominations. The exact place I had our little man. In September, I spent 6 days in the Mercy One Birth Center (1 in the Mercy One ICU) and don’t have enough words to thank the nurses for all they did so this couldn’t be a more perfect fit for a winner! I’m so lucky to be able to thank them and share their story here (along with a few of my own experiences thrown in).


Becca Aronson

Becca can get an IV started on the most difficult patients (I don't have the most cooperative veins), helped out before & after my c-section, came to check on me in the ICU, and was the best nurse for multiple days of my stay!



I always knew growing up, that I wanted to be in healthcare. Nursing just seemed like the right fit. Obtain a degree in 2-4 years. Be able to have a family, work a few days a week, have opportunities to work in many different settings. It’s practical!

The best part about being a labor and delivery nurse is that my everyday work, is actually the most important day in my patients’ life. It never gets old seeing the look on the mom’s face when she meets her baby. As time goes on my name and face may fade from their memory, but it’s the experience they will remember forever. Lastly, my coworkers. They are truly my work family. These ladies ALWAYS show up for me.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband and three kids. You can find us attending kids activities, boating, and playing outside.


Alicia Reams

Aka the best delivery nurse around! This rockstar of a nurse also made sure to get my sweet boy down to the ICU to visit while I was there!


My mom was a nurse and I knew that it was what I wanted to do when I was younger because of her. I knew I wanted to help take care of people from a very young age. I want to make a difference in people’s lives and to help people.

My job is incredible! Getting to be there and help women feel empowered and strong during a very vulnerable time is my passion. Getting to help them take care of their infants and being able to watch a family grow is such a blessing. Also my coworkers are absolutely fantastic and are like a family to me.

I enjoy spending time with my family! We spend a lot of time outside and doing sports activities. I also love to read and to ride bikes!

Stephanie Hackett

The sweetest lady to check in with me postpartum and throughout my entire stay!


Nursing caught my attention when I had a family member in the hospital that I went to visit after they had an intensive surgery. I remember watching the nurses caring and comforting this family member. I recognized that at such a young age and it stuck with me; I can be caring and comforting towards people too! It was then as a little girl my dream of being a labor and delivery nurse began. It was my goal and I accomplished it! Having a big heart is within me and my compassion shows for others.

Getting to be a part of such a memorable time in people’s lives makes me smile daily! Being told how much my patients appreciate me for what I do for them is a great feeling. Something else that makes me smile daily at work is being able to do my dream job with my coworkers. We have such a great team!

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends making new memories together. When the weather is nice you can catch me outside enjoying the weather! I enjoy going to my nieces and nephews sporting events. Enjoying quality time with my husband and my dog is another favorite thing to do of mine! I enjoy going on vacations and exploring the world. :)

Dzulijeta Karabegovic


I got started in nursing after realizing how much I love caring for others. Being a part of someone's journey has to be the most rewarding thing in the world and I love to share the excitement with new families.

Working alongside the best coworkers, my amazing patients, and all the babies!!

I love going on walks, spending time with my family & closest friends.

Angela Dummermuth


I had a calling to help others and wanted to make a positive impact on peoples lives daily.

Being blessed with having the opportunity to help bring a new life into the world. There truly is noting better than being a labor and delivery nurse!

Spend time with my friends and family.

Kaity Klotzbach


Prior to becoming a nurse I was a birth and postpartum doula for nearly 13 years. Before my dear friend, Dr. Marilyn Hines, passed away, she encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a midwife. Becoming a nurse is just the first step towards making that dream a reality.
So many aspects of my job make me smile each day. Getting the honor to stand beside expecting parents and guide them as they welcome their new little one into the world puts the biggest smile on my face. Each opportunity I have to teach a new parent how to swaddle their baby and change a diaper makes me smile. Teaching new moms how to breastfeed and watching them light up with the biggest smile when they catch on and successfully get baby to latch on for the first time makes me smile. Getting to work alongside and collaborate with the best team of care providers and support staff at MercyOne Family Birth Center also helps make this the best job in the world.

Spending time with my husband, Catlin, and our five children is what fills my cup and keeps me going. We love to be outside together and go on new adventures whenever time allows. I have a strong passion for traveling and try to take several small trips each year; some with the whole family, some with just me and my husband, and some with friends.

Alyssa Price


I’ve always been drawn to helping others, so I knew i wanted to work in the health care field since I could remember. My mother passed away when I was little and I just knew I had to follow in her footsteps and become a nurse. During nursing school I had the privilege of witnessing a birth, and that’s when it hit me- I was meant to be a labor & delivery nurse!

Helping patients in their most vulnerable time to become parents. I love supporting our mamas in achieving their dream deliveries, and even during the hardest time of their lives when they birth their babies sleeping. Empowering other women is everything to me.

I enjoy spending time with my husband and puppies, family and friends!

Laura Morales

The best at braiding hair when you are truly the definition of a hot mess!


I've always felt the need to help people, nursing gives me that possibility. I'm able to be there for people during the most beautiful, hard and vulnerable times. Helping mom's welcome their little babies is so rewarding.

My coworkers, helping mothers bring their babies into the world. And of course the sweet babies make me smile at work daily!!

Target runs with my daughters and exploring new places with my fiance are my favorite things outside of work!

Erin Yandow


I’m a tech, but I love the medical field and atmosphere! It’s such a blessing seeing new babes enter the world and being able to care for the moms and babies.

All of my coworkers, patients and the babies make me smile daily! It’s a great feeling when you know you are doing a great job helping others.

I enjoy hanging out with my two beautiful daughters. Go on Ranger rides. Go shopping and hangout with friends!

Allie Boyle


I wanted to help others and make a difference. I specifically wanted to support families and empower women.

Seeing women become mothers makes me smile at work daily!

I enjoy hanging with my kids, reading, and playing with my pets.

Alissa Hanson


Ever since I was a little girl, I had wanted to help others and dreamed of being a nurse. My passion to assist others in a meaningful way while creating a connection with my patients and families has been a true blessing. As a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, I get to not only care for that premature or sick baby, but I get to help the parents and family along the way as well.

There are so many things that put a smile on my face it's hard to narrow it down to just one. The moment that a new family is introduced to their little one, the joy seen on the faces of patients and family when that new baby lets out that first cry, seeing a preterm take that first drink of milk, seeing that 3-pound baby hit the 4-pound mark, the list goes on and on. Knowing that I have helped each family in some small way is so rewarding. After 23 years, I still remember some of the first baby's I cared for and even stay in touch with some who are now at the age of having their own children. I can't think of any other job that is as rewarding as being a NICU nurse.

Spending time with family and friends is at the top of my list of things I do outside of work. Traveling to new places as well as just spending a day at the lake or beach. The casino is also a favorite place you can run into me at.

Betsy Ross


I knew I always wanted to help people, but I wasn't sure where I wanted to go to do that. I delivered my first baby and the nurses were so kind. I immediately looked at my husband and said that's what I want to do. I haven't looked back since.

My coworkers, hands down make me smile at work daily. They are some of the best humans I know. Also, anytime I hear a baby's first cry or the excitement on a first time dad's face is pretty magical. We get to take care of some really great families that always bring a smile to my face.

I love to hang out with my husband and two little kids. We like to bike and travel and just be outside together. I also enjoy spending time with my friends talking and going on walks or spending time on a patio somewhere on Main Street.

Sidney Larson


I went into nursing specifically to work in OB, I watched my older sister fall in love with helping moms and hearing her talk and tell stories, its how I new I found my passion too. I love watching a new set of parents smile in shock of seeing there new baby for the first time. I will always cherish this job.

My coworkers are the reason I am who I am and make this job what it is. They are always there for you. The night shift crew is one big family. We take care of each other and support each other everyday in ever situation that is thrown at us. I never have to ask for help because they know what I need before I do myself.

I love getting to spend any time I have with friends and family whether it’s watching my niece and nephew, heading to the river for a nice weekend getaway, or spending time traveling with my friends.

Kelsey Glawe


Loved the idea of getting to help people and be there for them through the best and worst times of their life!

Being able to work with some of the best people ive met!! They definitely make work life 1000% worth it on the hard days.

I love biking, kayaking and spending time with loved ones!

Meggan Bradley


I love everything about nursing. I love taking care of people. It is so special to be able to help care for people through not only the brightest moments (like the birth of a child), but also being there for them during the darker times. Nursing is my passion, and I get to live my dream each time I come to work.

Our babies make me smile at work daily. Watching the looks on the faces of new parents as they meet their child. Siblings meeting their new little for the first time. Watching our NICU babies grow. Pretty much everything. :)

I love to spend time with my husband and children. I also love to read. I'm looking forward to spending lots of time outdoors this summer.

Katie Speicher


I am an OB tech/cna I followed my mother into the healthcare field and just enjoy helping others.

Seeing the joy and happiness in everyone makes me smile daily at work.

I enjoy spending time with my kids, sports, and being out doors.

Amanda Wolfe


Initially I went into nursing because the job opportunities are endless. I love interacting with people and it seemed like a safe career choice. When I graduated 11 years ago I was ready to take the first job I was offered and I feel very blessed that it was in the Birth Center at MercyOne. I can now say with certainty I was meant to be a labor nurse and cannot imagine doing anything else.

I start each day meeting a stranger and I feel like by the end of the day I’m saying goodbye to a friend. It’s an amazing experience to be in the room when a baby is born and while it’s exciting it can also be a very vulnerable time for a woman. I always hope that because of the care I give my patient’s feel safe during their labor and during the birth of their baby. I am also blessed with the greatest coworkers. In labor and delivery when things go wrong they can go wrong fast and having a team that is so knowledgeable and works so well together really does save lives. Many of these nurses were with me during the birth of my children and it is a special feeling to be part of such a great team.

I enjoy spending time with my husband and children- Wesley (8) Addie (6) and Ryan (3). We enjoy anything that involves being outside and are looking forward to traveling more as our kids get older.

Sharyn Fleming


I decided to go into nursing because of my love for babies. I grew up, always wanting to be a nurse and upon graduation from high school I never considered any other career. My first nursing job was working in a well baby nursery and four years later I was working in a NICU. Now 43 years later, I’m still a NICU nurse, and still love my babies!

The smiles on parent’s faces when they finally get to bring their baby home after weeks/months of being in the NICU makes me smile at work daily. And my amazing coworkers.

I enjoy hiking, being in nature, kayaking, reading a good book and scrapbooking.

Megan Danielsen

Up for a good chat on your 6th day in the hospital during blood transfusions when you're just ready to bust out of those 4 walls!


I knew I wanted to be a nurse even as a small child. I learned to be a CNA through high school courses and moved my way up. I always wanted to work the the Labor and Delivery Unit.

Babies. Oh my word, how can you NOT be enamored with them?! But also, moms. Strong, amazing moms. It brings me so much joy meeting them at a time of vulnerability and caring for them when they are used to being the ones doing it all.

I enjoy anything with my four daughters. Being a mom is my other favorite job.

Sheila Heise


To get to see the tiniest little babes grow up right in front of our eyes, then discharge with their families. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that journey?!

My amazing birth center team that has become more like family to me than co-workers.

I enjoy spending time with my 7 month old daughter while not at work.

Lily Ward


My mom has run an in-home daycare my whole life and I have four siblings. Because of this, I wanted to take care of people too.

When my babies make progress with something they’ve been working so hard at it makes me smile at work. Whether they don’t need their isolette anymore, they take their whole feeds, or even when they’re just more awake. You also can’t help but smile when they smile at you.

I really enjoy reading to decompress or hanging out with friends.

Tiffany Siglin


I've always wanted to help others. When they asked me in kindergarten what I wanted to be I answered "a nurse". No one remembered that until I was long graduated from nursing school and it was found in my mom's keepsakes. To help people when they need you most is one of the most rewarding things you can do with your life.

The sweetest little babies make me smile at work daily! The new mothers' caring for their sweet babes. My co-workers who all help each other get through the rough times.

I love to plant and take care of my outside gardens. I also have many indoor plants to tend to. I like to read as well. Spending time with family is always the best!

Kori Kershner


I love helping another’s especially those in need. I have a passion for science which is why I chose the nursing field specifically!

Bringing life into this world makes me smile at work daily! Being a part of such a monumental moment in someone’s life is such a blessing.

I love being outdoors doing things that keep me active! i also enjoy spending time with my family and friends.


Jayde Wikert


I’ve always had an interest in kids, babies especially! With constantly being around ages 0-5 helping my mom with her daycare, I couldn’t picture my life without littles so I made it my career.

So many things make me smile at work but I catch myself smiling the most when I witness small moments with families admiring their baby. A mothers love is unlike any other and I feel blessed to watch the bond families grow with their baby.

I love spending time with friends and family as well as being outdoors.