A Magazine from Akron Children's
Nurse practitioner Leah Rawdon is known on her team as the fixer. When she sees a problem, she responds. It’s an innate quality that makes her a dedicated provider for her patients and an impactful leader for her fellow advanced practice providers (APPs).
“Whether it’s reassuring a parent who’s feeling overwhelmed, making a sick child feel more comfortable or advocating for the APPs on my team, I love making a difference,” Leah said. “For me, it’s all about meeting people where they are and responding to their needs.”
The fixer
During Leah Rawdon’s 19-year career at Akron Children’s, she has worked to meet her patients’ needs and create solutions to reduce the length of hospital stays.
Nurse practitioner Leah Rawdon is known on her team as the fixer. When she sees a problem, she responds. It’s an innate quality that makes her a dedicated provider for her patients and an impactful leader for her fellow advanced practice providers (APPs).
“Whether it’s reassuring a parent who’s feeling overwhelmed, making a sick child feel more comfortable or advocating for the APPs on my team, I love making a difference,” Leah said. “For me, it’s all about meeting people where they are and responding to their needs.”
Leah’s journey with Akron Children’s began long before her nursing career. Born at 28 weeks’ gestation, Leah spent more than two months in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“My family often jokes that I’ve been connected to Akron Children’s from the very start of my life,” she said. “My mom had preeclampsia, so they delivered me early to save her life. I was her one and only miracle baby.
“To be a 28-weeker nearly 40 years ago is a lot different than it is today,” she added. “Later, when I worked as a NICU nurse, I could draw on that experience. I reassured parents that I was here as a preemie, too, and now I’m an adult who’s a nurse.”
Leah returned to Children’s as a teen volunteer, where she saw the hospital’s supportive and kid-friendly atmosphere. “Kids played wiffle ball in the hallway, rode scooters and pulled wagons,” Leah recalled. “Even though these children were really sick, the hospital created a positive environment for them. That made a lasting impression on me and confirmed I wanted to pursue a career in pediatrics.”
During her senior year of high school, she became ill following a surgery. That’s when Leah discovered her true calling: nursing.
“The nurse who cared for me during that difficult time was amazing,” she said. “I know the doctor prescribed the medications that improved my condition, but to me, it was the nurse who truly made me feel better. Her kindness left a lasting impact on me.”
Leah joined Akron Children’s as a nurse tech in 2006 while pursuing her nursing degree at Kent State University. She went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing.
During her 18-year career, Leah has made remarkable contributions that expanded the scope of practice for APPs and improved patient outcomes. For example, she helped to develop the hospital’s Short Stay Unit, which helps patients who are medically ready for discharge get home sooner.
“Leah thrives in challenging situations and is never afraid to think outside the box,” Brittany Potts, MD, medical director, Pediatric Hospital Medicine and Advance Practice Providers, said. “This program resulted in a significant decrease in the amount of time our patients stay in the hospital after they are medically ready for discharge,” Dr. Potts added. “This gets kids home, where they should be, sooner.”
Nationally, Leah established the first APP subcommittee through the American Academy of Pediatrics. The committee provides resources and continuing education for APPs across the country.
When she’s not caring for patients, Leah explores the great outdoors with her husband and three daughters. “Working in health care can be stressful at times, but being able to step away and spend time with my family in beautiful places helps me recharge and stay grounded,” she said. “Nature has a way of putting things into perspective and reminding me why I do what I do.”
During her family’s trip to Olympic National Park last summer, Leah received a call that she earned the prestigious 2024 Magnet Nurse of the Year in Empirical Outcomes award. This recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center goes to a nurse who has improved patient care through intentional interventions. While the award marks a milestone achievement in her nursing career, Leah credits her team for helping her get there.
“My success is a result of the incredible people around me: my family, senior leadership, physicians and especially the APPs in our department,” Leah shared. “They pushed me to think bigger and gave me the support to do so. I wish this award could go to all the APPs in our department because they work extremely hard for our patients and each other.”
Since 2007, Akron Children’s has been designated as a Magnet Hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Magnet organizations are recognized for superior nursing processes and quality patient care, which lead to the highest levels of safety, quality and patient satisfaction.
From inspiring stories, to medical miracles, the More childhood, pleaseTM magazine will make you appreciate those precious 6,574 days of childhood.
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