The Heart of Healing: Celebrating Hoag's Moms
At home, they nurture. At work, they heal.
This Mother’s Day, we honor the women who carry two of life’s most meaningful callings—raising families and caring for others.
From midnight fevers to emergency rooms, from homework help to holding hands through hard moments, these moms embody strength, compassion, and an unwavering sense of purpose.
We asked a few of the incredible moms in our healthcare community to reflect on what motherhood means to them, how they navigate both roles, and why their work—at home and at Hoag—matters so deeply.
Their words are a reminder of the power of love, leadership, and resilience in all its forms.
To every mother and caregiver, we see you, we thank you, and we celebrate you. 🌷
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 5S9q21OvyEY2NCnwklHUbRStephanie Chow, MSN, RN, CCRN
Nurse Navigator – Epilepsy
What does being a mom mean to you? Being a mom means being a chaos coordinator, a zookeeper, and the constant provider of snacks—but more importantly, it means being a steady source of love, support, and safety. It’s the privilege of helping little human beings grow into kind, confident, and capable individuals.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients?Being a mother has helped me connect with my patients and their families in profound ways. One of the most meaningful is relating to them as fellow caregivers. I often remind other mothers to prioritize their own health—because to care for their children, they must also care for themselves. I try to be mindful of their schedules and responsibilities, knowing how much they already juggle for their families. Many of the patients I work with are cared for by mothers who carry the weight of being the primary caregiver. Motherhood allows me to connect with them on a deeper, more emotional level—to sit with them in their fear, to cry with them when they need to, and to offer the knowledge and support they need to better care for their loved one.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? There are simply too many moments to count. The most meaningful ones are often when I am coordinating care with mothers or mothers of my patients—when I can sense that what they need most is someone to lean on, someone to listen, and someone who truly understands their struggle. Being that person is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job.
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare. Don’t compare yourself to others—we’re all navigating life with our own unique challenges. You’re keeping a human being alive—maybe even more than one—and that alone is incredible. You’re doing an amazing job, even on the days it doesn’t feel like it.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 23rs1TyFgxf1MBoqwzcgwgChristine Chew BSN, RN
Charge Nurse
What does being a mom mean to you? Being a mother is a gift, motherhood is a journey filled with love, growth and purpose.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients? Being a mother has taught me to be more attentive, patient and nurturing which has allowed me to connect with my patients on a deeper level and enhance the way I provide care.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? Yes! I have these moments daily. Every time I care for a patient that may be anxious, I listen to the patient’s concerns, explain procedures or information in a calm way to reduce that fear. If I’ve helped with the anxiety I feel a great deal of comfort as a professional much like I do as a mother with my own children in similar situations.
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare? During rough days, always remember your “why”. Think about why you decided to work in healthcare and be proud of the impact you make in these patient’s lives.
What do you hope your children see or learn from your work? I hope my children can learn that perfection isn’t the goal. What matters most is working hard, being kind and always growing through learning.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: MunU7KQpCUrDWBL5BvtwWTrish Gines
Clinical Nurse
What does being a mom mean to you? To me, being a mom means not knowing all the answers but being open and growing alongside my children. Always being present in the moment and fully engaged while creating an environment of authenticity.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients? Motherhood has greatly taught me how to be more patient. It allowed me to stop, listen, and respond calmly to challenging situations.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? When my daughter broke her femur at such a young age from a fall incident, I felt so much guilt. Those were some of the toughest moments, not only having to witness my own child in pain, but also having to overcome the “mom guilt”.
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare? Balancing life is tough but it’s about finding what works for YOU. Also, recognizing the importance of taking care of yourself because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
What do you hope your children see or learn from your work? Accepting that there will be good and bad days and that’s perfectly okay.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 7wdjPSAOZDZg7PXtbwIDvVJenny Burns
Charge Nurse, LDRP
What does being a Mom mean to you? Being a Mom is my most important job. My role is to provide a loving and supportive home where my kids can feel safe and loved. Being a Mom is about nurturing, guiding and teaching my kids to ultimately lead them to a deeper relationship with God and to help equip them to live purposeful and impactful lives.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for your patients? As a Mother and a Labor and Delivery Nurse I am able to relate to my patients on a more personal level. To be a witness of new Moms bringing life into the world is so special to me and I feel blessed to be able to experience it with them. I remember the feelings and overwhelming love when I became a Mom, however I also remember the fear, the unknown and exhaustion; these personal experiences help me to better care for my patients.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? I am certain that all of my lifes experiences relating to my own personal journey of Motherhood have been divinely orchestrated. I have had two severely difficult pregnancies followed by two preemature babies which included extremely long, very scary NICU stays. My two pregnancies were followed by the adoption of our Daughter, Lily. My two worlds of Mommy and nurse collide on a shiftly basis, and for that I am so thankful to be able to relate and care for mothers who may be experiencing a difficult pregnancy, a loss of a pregnancy or are involved in an adoption/surrogate situation. It is most meaningful to be able to hug NICU parents and just say, “I've been here, I understand and I am here for you.”
I would tell working Moms in healthcare that nothing is more important than your faith/beliefs and your family. If you prioritize being a Momma and for me a Wife to my husband, the work/life balance feels do-able. I have been a night shift nurse for 16 years, not because my body likes staying up all night, but because I get to be present for my children and my family. I would also say, love your job! Loving my job has made this Motherhood journey much easier.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 1D98K6rjlWkjdDhJ3EyIenMelissa Alexander
Midwife, OCWMG
What does being a mom mean to you? I became a mom at age 19, so my entire identity is being a mom and a nurse.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients? I became a nurse with the intention of becoming a nurse midwife after the birth of my first son, Ryan.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? My two worlds collide every day, even though my oldest son is going to be 27 this year, I still remember my prenatal visits and how I was treated in labor and delivery. My epidural failed in my first labor and my nurses did not listen to me when I told them I had pain. I recall that experience and I always make an effort to hear my patients and acknowledge their concerns. My son and I attended the same university, I was completing my nursing school prerequisites and he attended the preschool at the college of education. We met up for nap time!
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare? My advice to working moms is to use work as a way to refresh from being with your children all the time. They’ll see you as a role model and maybe one day follow in your footsteps like my oldest who is planning to become a nurse practitioner.
What do you hope your children see or learn from your work? My children are both hard workers, though with wildly different career paths. I hope I have taught them that work is important but that time off and disconnecting is also important.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 6ro6VE2ZsIKUzzdHgtWGxDLiseth Collins
Care Coordinator, Sleep Center
What does being a mom mean to you? Showing my child the beauty of life, learn to appreciate, respect all things and provide guidance/learning.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients? Parents/Guardians sometimes wear many different hats and at times it can feel like we are being pulled in many different directions and can affect our mood. It has helped me be more understanding and have more patience with our patients as we do not always know what they are dealing with at home or their personal lives.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? When my mom was going thru cancer treatments at Hoag and UCI I was my moms advocate. I listened to my mom’s needs and concerns and took charge of coordinating her treatment, scans and follow ups, so she could just focus on getting better. I did my best to do it with a warm smile, positiveness and laughter which made a difference on her treatment and her attitude towards her journey to recovery. It was a journey we did together and she knew she wasn’t alone.
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare? When you are able to, take time to tend to school events with your children, such as a surprise lunch with them at school or volunteer in their classrooms. This will help you feel more connected to your child and will also make you a happier employee to have the job/family balance.
Every individual plays an important role, we all matter and can help make a difference in someone’s day or their patient experience.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 2Yw21XzLdOKgvsghKpH2A6Ciara Knerr
Midwife, OCWMG
What does being a mom mean to you? To me being a mom is the chance to love someone so much they go into the world with the love and compassion to support others and their community to make positive change.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients? My three kids have such different personalities; it helps me understand that all people are different and they just need a little patience to be understood.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way?
Having my older daughters present for the birth of their brother, they were able to see what I actually do for work, since there isn't a lot of bring your "kid to work" days on Labor and delivery. It is fun to talk with them about it now and see how they experienced it, thankfully it is mostly positive.
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare? For other moms working in general I would remind them to have grace for themselves. There are so many pressures in our society to be everything for everyone, but really our kids just want us. So we don’t need a clean kitchen or folded laundry to sit down and play a video game together or ride bikes.
I hope my children learn to have compassion for all people. I also hope they see that pregnancy and birth is beautiful and amazing in all its forms.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 5d9aKBPy0Cr9tiTADKKGmDOlive Kintu
LDRP RN
What does being a mom mean to you? Being a mom is everything, a forever blessing. Knowing that you nurtured your children from when they were babies right up to where my children are, adulthood. I wouldn’t change a thing.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients? Motherhood has shaped how I care for patients by being more empathetic. I remember what it was like when I had my kids.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? A moment when my two worlds collide: when I have very young patients. I have to strike a balance between mom and nurse. I draw from both roles when needed.
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare? Advice to working moms in healthcare: Enjoy every stage. It gets better as your babies get older. Take time out to reflect and recharge.
What do you hope your children see or learn from your work?My children have learned the importance of patience, kindness, compassion, always doing one’s best and determination.
One thing my children say about my job. My son ,Trevor, he is a nurse too. He used to work nights. He always wondered how I worked nights and still did school runs and attended all their activities..😊
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 9fD0UnzUQg41Ztuv1obKkKaelyn Cummins
LDRP RN
What does being a mom mean to you? When I became a mom everything shifted. My priorities, my relationships, my boundaries, and my purpose. Overnight, quite literally, motherhood became my favorite and most important hat to wear. I am also both terrified and astounded by the immense amount of love I have for my boys. They are my biggest blessing.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients?Working in L&D, becoming a mother (not once but twice) has changed everything about the way I do my job. It helps me relate to the joys and stresses of pregnancy and new parenthood deeply and intimately. It helps me provide a different level of support for my patients coming from a place of understanding and lived experience. I feel like I get to go through labor and birth with them, and man, what an incredible privilege is that.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? My two worlds as a nurse and a mom quite literally collided when I came to the hospital to deliver my boys. I was surrounded by work friends, really work family. It was so incredibly special to see the kind of love and support that my co-workers pour into their job from a patient’s perspective. Not only did my husband gain a new sense of appreciation and respect for my job, but I gained one as well. It helped me see the difference that we truly do make in such a transformative experience in parents lives. It’s helped me see what a privilege it is to get to know our patients and their stories and their families so intimately and so quickly.
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare? I would stress the importance of self care to other moms working in healthcare. Motherhood is the most selfless job in the world. Nursing is probably the second most selfless job in the world. It’s easy to put your patients and your kiddos first, and it’s also easy to forget that YOU too need and deserve self love and care when you’re busy caring for others. Occasionally, putting yourself and your needs first is essential so you’re not pouring from an empty cup.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 2FXCJIF1bjAKOtqVN01u8cJayna Blanton
LDRP RN
What does being a mom mean to you? Being a mom to me brings me a sense of joy and love I never knew existed. Everyday, I wake up and think how lucky I am to have my boys in my life. They have taught me how to be the best version of myself.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients?My experiences as a mom have taught me to be as empathetic as possible. I pride myself in being able to place myself in my patients shoes and give them the care I would want my boys to receive.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? As an LDRP nurse, I get to bring the joy I feel with my own babies to my job. I get to help moms feel the same love I get to feel every single day. I am honored to be a part of such tender and vulnerable moments. Experiencing loss as well as bringing a baby home, I have a special place in my heart for all our patients. This includes our mommas who have felt a love for a child they are unable to hold in their arms. I am honored to be a part of such tender and vulnerable moments.
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare? As a working mom, I would tell other moms it is ok to do something that makes you smile! In fact, working makes me a better mom. I get to spend time doing something I love and recharge my batteries to be the best mom I can be for my children.
I hope my boys see that being a part of a great team and working hard is such a rewarding experience. I want my boys to see the joy that comes with serving others.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 3dshZ3dxb6j00xsHz8kqgACaitlin Perez
OB Triage RN
What does being a mom mean to you? Being a mom means never going a day without feeling frustrated, defeated, capable, and loved in the most rewarding way possible. As a mother, we can be our truest forms with our children and we are still met with love, despite our moments of imperfection. But in those moments where we do shine, our hearts fill with a joy beyond words in ways our children won’t understand until they become parents themselves.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients? Motherhood requires what seems like an infinite amount of patience and understanding. We are great listeners and problem solvers. As a mother, I guide and teach my children to make informed decisions and become participants in their own world. It is the same for my patients. Patient-centered care, understanding, and patience are at the forefront of my care. Attributes from my experience as a mother carry over into my patient care every day.
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? As an OB Triage RN with an LDRP background, I have certainly faced moments where my identity as a mom flowed over into my patient care. In moments (during labor) where women felt they were not capable, it was my job to help them dig within and find their power. Simple acts such as holding their hand during times of fear and uncertainty, or giving them positive affirmations while stroking their hair and telling them “I believe in you” made a difference. The impacts when we extend these simple acts of kindness may differ between our children and patients, but what a beautiful thing it is to pull from both our maternal and healthcare identities to positively impact those we care for.
Give yourself grace during times of imperfection and remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup. In both healthcare and motherhood, you are a constant giver. You provide care around the clock in multiple roles. It is ok to take moments to refuel yourself and accept help from those who can support you when you need it most.
type: embedded-entry-inline id: 20WqhbXArXd3U8PNGNAZE6Vinita J. Speir, MD, OBGYN
What does being a mom mean to you? Being mom is a lot of hard work for the privilege of nurturing and raising someone who kind of looks like you and acts like you.
How has motherhood shaped the way you care for patients? Motherhood has given me a newfound respect for my profession, how important and meaningful it is to take care of women during this special and often challenging time in their lives and because I have 3 daughters - how essential women's healthcare is!
Is there a moment when your two worlds (mom and healer) collided in a meaningful way? You're never going to be 100% at your career or home but each part of you is important, just be happy with how well you are juggling all the balls.
What advice would you give to other working moms in healthcare That hard work both earns and deserves respect. Also that women's healthcare is their responsibility to fight for.
What do you hope your children see or learn from your work? "Who's mommy talking to or who is mommy hugging?" Oh must be a patient".