Celebrating 25 years of dedication and a miracle baby’s arrival
In the world of labor and delivery nursing, there are moments that transcend the clinical and touch the profoundly personal. For Tammy Poe, a labor and delivery nurse with 25 years of dedicated service at Henry Community Health (HCH), one such moment came on February 2, 2025, when she helped bring a miracle baby named Collins Terry Jane into the world.
What makes this story particularly special is that Tammy wasn’t just caring for any patient—she was caring for Kalie, a fellow HCH co-worker and friend of six years, and Kalie’s husband, Brennan Bales.
A miracle baby and a difficult decision
Collins was a miracle baby, long awaited and deeply cherished. Throughout her pregnancy, Kalie had hoped to avoid induction, wanting things to unfold as naturally as possible. But when Kalie’s father-in-law received a devastating cancer prognosis, she and Brennan knew they needed to move forward with an induction to ensure family could be present for this precious moment.
With the induction date set, Kalie faced a vulnerable decision: who would she trust to care for her during one of the most important days of her life?
The answer was clear. She personally asked Tammy. Without hesitation Tammy’s response was an immediate, unhesitating “Yes!”
In healthcare, caring for colleagues can create uncomfortable dynamics. The professional boundaries blur, and the weight of personal connection adds pressure to an already high-stakes situation. But Tammy never wavered. Her willingness to step into that deeply personal space brought Kalie immediate comfort as she faced her induction.
Professionalism meets compassion
From the moment Tammy began caring for Kalie, she struck the perfect balance between professionalism and personal warmth. She explained everything—every medication, every cervical exam, every concerning moment like a drop in blood pressure. Despite knowing Kalie’s clinical knowledge as a fellow healthcare worker, Tammy never made assumptions. She recognized that being the patient is an entirely different experience than being the provider.
“What I thought I knew turned out to be completely different as the patient,” Kalie reflected. Tammy’s thorough explanations and steady presence transformed anxiety into trust.
A family’s anchor
Tammy’s care extended beyond just Kalie. She became an anchor for Brennan as well, providing both parents with the assurance that everything would be okay during what was simultaneously a difficult and exciting time. When labor became overwhelming and Kalie felt like giving up, Tammy was there with encouragement: “Keep going.”
That encouragement, delivered with patience, kindness, and genuine compassion, made all the difference.
A career worth celebrating
Labor and delivery nursing is not for the faint of heart. It’s a career filled with unpredictable challenges, emotional intensity, and moments that can be as frightening as they are joyful. Yet it’s also one of the most rewarding paths in healthcare—a profession where nurses witness miracles and forever become part of families’ most treasured memories.
Tammy embodies everything that makes this calling so special. Over 25 years, she has touched countless lives with her skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Her care for Kalie and Brennan is just one example of the extraordinary nurse she is every single day.
A memory forever
“Tammy will forever be a positive memory as we reminisce on the day our sweet miracle came into the world,” Kalie shared. “Tammy made a huge difference in not only my experience, but my life.”
For her exceptional care, Tammy was awarded the DAISY Award for the second quarter of 2025, nominated by Kalie and Brennan Bales. The DAISY Award recognizes nurses who provide extraordinary compassionate care, and there could be no more deserving recipient.