The nurses of the Baby Place

Published 1:01 pm Friday, March 22, 2013

: Theresa Blizzard Age: 37 Address: Albert Lea Family: husband, girl (15), girl (12) Interesting fact about your job: I’ve worked in labor/delivery for 17 years in hospitals that did 200 deliveries a month up to one that did 16,000 a month. Your favorite thing about babies: I love being part of one of the most important parts of a family’s life, that moment that baby looks up at mom for the first time after delivery is priceless.

: Molly Burkholder Age: 27 Address: Kensett, Iowa Family: husband; daughters (2 and 1) Interesting fact about your job: I never work a day without learning or experiencing something new. Your favorite thing about babies: Their squishy cheeks.

: Angie Cluckey Age: 40 Address: Albert Lea Family: significant other, Russ; children Jordan (21), Megan (18), Hanah (15), Reese (14), Ashton (6) Interesting fact about your job: I love my job and don’t consider it a job! Your favorite thing about babies: Snuggle and then send them home with their parents.

: Rebecca Collins Age: 29 forever Address: Britt, Iowa Family: husband, Jerry; children Lucas (14), Hannah (13), Aiden (6) and Ryan (4) Interesting fact about your job: Even though I’ve been a labor and delivery nurse for eight years, it never gets old. Watching babies being born is always a wonderful and exciting thing. Your favorite thing about babies: I love being able to get my baby “fix.” Having patients come back in for their next baby and remember me is always pretty great.

: Stephanie Fair Age: 33 Title: OB Health Unit Coordinator Family: husband, Tad Interesting fact about your job: I am going to school to be an registered nurse. Your favorite thing about babies: I can get my baby “fix” and send them home with their parents.

: Molly Flo Age: 27 Address: Lake Mills, Iowa Family: husband, Chris; child Rowan Interesting fact about your job: Did a preceptorship as a student in the Baby Place and now just started in October as a Baby Place registered nurse. Your favorite thing about babies: Cuddling and snuggling the babies.

: Karen Hallisy Age: 45 Address: 1836 Bayview Drive, Albert Lea Family: husband, Tom; son Jackson; daughter Tiffany Interesting fact about your job: I enjoy working on the night shift. Your favorite thing about babies: Each baby is unique.

: Paula Heijerman Age: 54 Address: Hollandale Family: husband, John; children Brian, Greg, Sarah Interesting fact about your job: We have had two sets of triplets since I’ve worked in obstetrics, which will be 32 years in February. Your favorite thing about babies: They are all cute and I can snuggle them and rock them and send them home. All babies are different.

: Lauren Kesler Age: 23 Address: Joice, Iowa Family: fiance, Brandon, our dog Chloee, my wonderful parents and soon-to-be in-laws, two older brothers, both with wives and one nephew and two nieces Interesting fact about your job: Every day I get to go to work, not have to work. Your favorite thing about babies: The best part is having a brand new baby to welcome to the world to care for by assessing, snuggling and feeding for about two days. Gives me good practice for when Brandon and I decide to have babies.

: Lacey Koopal Age: 29 Address: Hartland Family: husband, Jason; children Brady (6), Caralee (3), Crissa (17 months) Interesting fact about your job: Every labor is unique, and I love being a part of that process. I feel honored to share the intimate life-changing moment with my patients. Your favorite thing about babies: The physiological changes they go through during the labor process, delivery, to outside world is amazing and the fact they intently know their parents, especially moms, is incredible. They truly are miracles!

: Nancy Lahs Age: 44 Title: Baby Place Health Unit Coordinator Address: Albert Lea Family: husband, Larry; daughter Tara Interesting fact about your job: I love to hear the names parents come up with when completing the birth certificates. Your favorite thing about babies: Their smell after their first bath.

: Kathy Lehman Age: 54 Address: Albert Lea Family: Son Chris and his wife, Sarah (Reed), are the parents of my granddaughters, Kylee (5) and Avery Colleen (6 months). They have a black Lab named King and live in Hugo. Daughter Shannon and her husband, Matt (Gordan), have a miniature pinscher named Bruise and a French bulldog/pit named Koda and live in St. Paul. I have a 6-year-old Brittany named Charlie (who is blind) and am adopting a 5-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel/bichon named Diego from a Twin Cities animal rescue. What can I say? We’re “dog people!” Interesting fact about your job: I’ve worked here since 1979 and am taking care of my second generation of moms, dads and babies. I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, and although nurses now utilize technology to help take best care of their patients, you will never replace what a nurse can see when she looks at/feels when she touches/or learns when she listens to her patients. Even after all these years, it’s still amazing that I get to do what I do — I’m there at the beginnings and endings, and all that makes up a life. I hope I’ve made a difference in the lives of my patients, because they have made a difference in mine. Your favorite thing about babies: You’ll never feel anything as soft or warm as a newborn’s cheek or see anything as sweet as a parent gazing into their newborn’s eyes for the first time.

: Carissa Levorson Age: 27 Address: Albert Lea Family: husband, Matt Interesting fact about your job: I get to see one of God’s miracles every time I work. Your favorite thing about babies: They don’t talk back to you.

: Monica Linder Age: 55 Address: Easton Family: husband, Bryan; children Sarah, Stephanie, Matt, Mike, Annie; grandchildren Henry and Evelyn Interesting fact about your job: Bringing new life into the world and then see these babies having their own babies. Your favorite thing about babies: Each has his or her own interesting personality.

: Kirsten Meyer Age: 54 Address: Northwood, Iowa Family: husband, Russ; children Nicole, Natalie and Emily; grandchildren Lane (3) and two more expected in 2013 Interesting fact about your job: No day is ever the same in OB. Your favorite thing about babies: Unbelievable miracles that we get to witness every day.

: Dani Olson Age: 23 Title: OB Health Unit Coordinator Address: Albert Lea Family: signifianct other, Tony; child Ella Interesting fact about your job: New in my role as a Baby Place HMC. Just started Jan. 21! Your favorite thing about babies: They are so innocent, can’t really go wrong with that!

: Michelle Thomas Age: 56 Address: Albert Lea Family: Son Keith, daughter-in-law Jennifer, three wonderful grandchildren Michael, Kaden and Sophie Interesting fact about your job: I started out in labor and delivery right out of nursing school and have been here for 30 years. I love labor and delivery. Every day you get to see new families started. Your favorite thing about babies: You can see them daily and get your baby fix.

: Mary Thompson Age: 32 Address: Albert Lea Family: husband, Troy, and girls Jalicia, Zayda and Lydia Interesting fact about your job: I get to see the miracle of birth. Your favorite thing about babies: Being able to love on them and send them home.

: Alisha Waalkens Age: 25 Address: Geneva Family: husband, Shawn; daughter Andilynn Interesting fact about your job: I enjoy offering different options for laboring mom for positioning and relaxation technique to help give moms the best labor experience possible. Your favorite thing about babies: Snuggling.