Every so often, a teammate comes along who quietly yet powerfully changes the atmosphere of a workplace. For Leah Clark, that person is Sandra.
Her colleague and friend, Leah shared just how much Sandra has meant to her and to their unit. Leah says that over the past year, she and Sandra have bonded deeply while navigating some of the most stressful times together, including stepping into charge nurse roles during particularly difficult days in their unit. Sandra quickly became Leah’s “person” — someone who provided support, encouragement, and companionship through the challenges.
Leah describes how Sandra’s heart for both her patients and her coworkers shines in countless ways. She is the one who takes the time to keep the staff breakroom tidy and organized, even sorting through hundreds of pairs of staff shoes so the team isn’t tripping on their way in. She carefully collects and labels donated blankets and clothing so NICU babies can look adorable for their families and the items are returned to the right unit.
She is a crafting queen who creates thoughtful mementos like handmade name tags for tiny patients, and on the hardest days, she has dropped everything to help with bereavement moulds so families have something tangible to remember their little loved ones by.
Sandra’s creativity and compassion have also touched her team during moments of shared grief. When their unit lost a beloved nurse after Christmas, she designed and printed dozens of stickers to help her colleagues honor her memory.
What makes Sandra’s generosity even more inspiring, Leah says, is that she has done all of this while walking through her own personal trials — including fiercely supporting her husband through a cancer diagnosis and recovery. And beyond the hospital walls, Sandra continues to pour into her community by caring for rescue animals at a local shelter.
Leah describes Sandra as nothing short of a gem — someone whose light, creativity, and resilience leave a lasting mark on everyone around her. 💜
