Sue Nicholas, a nurse practitioner in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, has felt privileged to work with high-risk pregnancies during her 15-year career at Akron Children’s. Her role as part of a multidisciplinary team gave her many opportunities to support families while they navigate uncertain times and make difficult decisions. As she prepares to retire on July 25, Sue reflected on the people and circumstances that shaped her time at Akron Children’s.
As Sue prepares to retire on July 25, she’s looking forward to spending more time with her adult children.
What brought you to Akron Children’s?
Dr. Haynes Robinson, the founder of our Genetic Center; I had such respect for him and his commitment to finding answers when families experienced medical conditions or pregnancy losses with a genetic component.
High-risk obstetrical care has been my focus since I graduated from nursing in 1984. I worked closely with the Genetics Department, Dr. Lavin’s practice (he created the premier Maternal-Fetal Medicine practice in Summit County) and in various roles at Summa and Akron General. When a care coordinator in the Fetal Treatment Center opened in the department, Melonie Michelson reached out to me, and my journey at Akron Children’s began.
Who gave you your start?
The first year in this role, I worked closely again with the Maternal-Fetal Medicine office. I was there every day, navigating pregnancy and delivery plans for these complicated maternal and fetal conditions with the staff of nurses, doctors, genetic counselors and ultrasonographers who had been part of my history for years. We were more than a team; we were a family. This day-to-day interaction sparked Dana Nelson, Candice Zalick and Linda Hetson to advocate for an advanced practice provider (APP) position within the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department. That’s when I stepped back into the APP role.
What have been your biggest contributions while here?
In 2013, I was part of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing collaborative of Methods to Incorporate New Competencies into Nursing Practice. This work spotlighted genomics and genetics in practice across the organization.
What gave you the most satisfaction at work?
Caring for women with high-risk conditions, supporting them when their pregnancies were impacted by abnormal fetal concerns, supporting them through loss, asking to be a labor support when their support network was limited and being asked to care for them with future pregnancies.
What’s your most memorable and/or happiest moment at Akron Children’s? Why?
I had a family whose baby was diagnosed with a bladder outlet obstruction at 16 weeks’ gestation. I followed her throughout this pregnancy. Shortly after her son was born and they knew he was not doing well, she asked me to come to her newborn’s bedside to be with her as she said goodbye. About a year later, she came to the office to inform me she was pregnant. When he was born, she again made an hour trek to the office for me to meet her rainbow child.
What is a goal or a dream you achieved while working at Akron Children’s?
My career is ending with many of the same people it began with. I have had a dream team throughout my career – you all know who you are. We have been through changes within the practice of maternal-fetal medicine, supporting each other as our families began and grew – including high school and college graduations, the weddings of our children and the deaths of our parents. I could not have asked for a better work life.
What do you look forward to the most in retirement?
Time with my adult children. I will be a frequent flyer to Texas and Arizona, and I am hoping to get them all on a trip down the Danube at Christmas. I will also continue my “elfing” for Christmas. It has always been my favorite holiday. Thus, my “Christmas in July” present to myself – RETIREMENT.
