Sometimes the miracles happen outside our hospital walls, and that was certainly the case for Labor and Delivery RN Autumn Loken.
In May last year Autumn was dining with her husband at a local restaurant when the sound of a baby’s cough brought her to high alert. That sound came from neighboring diner Kenzie Mathes’ nine month-old son, Swift, who was choking on a strawberry. Kenzie began performing back thumps and chest compressions while Kenzie’s husband called 911. Autumn ran over to assist.
“Autumn’s whole energy was calming, and helped me focus on what I was doing,” says Kenzie.
Thankfully, with Autumn’s reassurance and guidance, Kenzie was able to dislodge the food from Swift’s airway. “It was just a shared moment of relief and gratitude,” recalls Autumn.
Says Kenzie, “I don’t know if my son would be alive today if she hadn’t been there. Thank you Autumn, for being there for me and my family.”
For her life-saving support, Autumn has received the DAISY Award for excellence in nursing.
The DAISY Award honors nurses around the world for the incredible patient care they provide. “Autumn truly is an extraordinary nurse who exemplifies what the DAISY Award stands for,” says Star Valley Health Director of Nursing Kyle Roniger. “She goes above and beyond to care for her patients.”
Adds Chief Nursing Officer Tori Probst, “Autumn brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in her field, caring for mothers and babies within our community. We’re so lucky to have her on our team.”
For Autumn, these moments are what nursing is all about. “There’s a special connection you share with your patients when you go through hard things. As nurses, we always want to give the best experience to the people we’re taking care of.”