For two UPMC Washington nurses, this Nurses Week is one they will never forget.
Earlier this week, Sahara T., RN, and Jacob T., RN, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Kinsley, at UPMC Washington — the same hospital where they both care for patients every day. The timing made the moment even more special, allowing Sahara to celebrate Nurses Week alongside her very first Mother’s Day.
Less than two years later, they are now celebrating a new chapter, not only as nurses, but as parents.
Baby Kinsley wasn’t expected to arrive for another couple of weeks, with a due date close to her dad’s birthday. Instead, she made an early entrance, perfectly timed to bring Nurses Week and Mother’s Day together for her family.
Sahara says her path to nursing was shaped by a powerful personal experience. “When I was 13, my mom was diagnosed with stage 3B cervical cancer with little prognosis to make it out alive,” Sahara said. “Watching my mom go through hospital stays and not knowing if she would come home was terrifying. The amazing nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital were the only thing that got me through those days. Every shift, every single nurse made sure to do absolutely everything they could for my mother and me. Without them, I don’t know if we would have had the same outcome. Having that experience and seeing how they changed our lives taught me I wanted to do the same. There is no other job in the world I would rather do. I love getting to know every patient and family I take care of. There is nothing more rewarding than helping other people. We are very fortunate to say my mom has been in remission for nine years and is now celebrating Mother’s Day with the arrival of her third grandchild.”
Jacob shared he was drawn to nursing for similar reasons. “I wanted to be able to help people who are in the darkest of places and bring a smile to their faces on the hardest days of their life,” he said. “The world could use a little more kindness, so what better job to provide it.”
Welcoming their daughter at UPMC Washington added deeper significance to the experience. It was the same place where they trained, where they now work, and where they were able to experience care from a new perspective.
Sahara echoed that sentiment. “We chose to work, and deliver, here because from day one, UPMC Washington has felt like home,” she said. “Our co-workers were so excited for us when they found out we were expecting! We had a scare during delivery, but the nurses and physicians were calm, supportive, and reassuring. Just because we’re nurses doesn’t make it any less scary, but having such an incredible team made all the difference. We honestly couldn’t be more grateful for every one of them!”
During her first days of life, Kinsley took part in a UPMC Magee-Womens systemwide Mother’s Day baby photo shoot celebrating new moms across the system. She wore a “Sweet as Can Bee” onesie and a hand crocheted hat created especially for babies born at UPMC Washington.
Caring for patients during some of life’s most important moments is central to the nursing profession. This week, surrounded by colleagues who share that commitment, Sahara and Jacob experienced that care firsthand as new parents.
As UPMC celebrates Nurses Week and recognizes the compassion, skill, and dedication of its nursing team, Kinsley’s arrival is a reminder of the personal connections that exist within our halls and the families who grow alongside our workplace.
For UPMC Washington, the moment also reflects its ongoing commitment to educating and retaining nurses locally. From training at the UPMC Washington School of Nursing, to professional practice at UPMC Washington, and now to the delivery of a new life, the story highlights the important role local health care plays in strengthening the community it serves.
Related Posts:
