Labor & Delivery Staff Registered Nurse Shannon Honored with Nurse Excellence Award

Labor & Delivery Staff Registered Nurse Shannon has received North Oaks Health System's Nurse Excellence Award for July 2023.

In 2005, while still a student in nursing school, Shannon joined the North Oaks Medical Center team as a Nurse Tech. She worked on the Medicine Unit first, and after 8 months, she transferred to Labor & Delivery and never looked back.

“I love a fast paced, ever-changing work environment, so I quickly found that Labor & Delivery was my perfect fit,” she shares.

After graduating from nursing school in 2006, she accepted a Staff Registered Nurse position on the unit.

“I try to spend as much time at the bedside as I can to give each patient the best experience during one of the most important times of her life! I always tell each of my patients that our goal is a happy and healthy baby and mom.”

Shannon attended Louisiana State University and Southeastern Louisiana University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She went on to pursue further specialization in her field by earning certification as an Obstetrics Registered Nurse and a Lactation Counselor.

“I have always been a ‘people person’ and have enjoyed taking care of people for as long as I can remember,” she notes.

Madisonville is home for Shannon, her husband Patrick, their daughters Ellie and Hollis Jane, and Hazel, the family’s yellow Labrador Retriever.

Away from work, Shannon shares that most of her time is spent cheering for Ellie and Hollis Jane, who play volleyball and soccer.

“Throughout the years, I’ve coached both of my girls’ volleyball teams and have stayed as involved as possible at their schools,” explains Shannon. I enjoy anything active and outdoors -- especially hiking, biking, snow skiing, kayaking and running.”

The family also travels frequently and enjoys creating memories together.

Shannon supports the National MS Society by cycling in its Bike MS fundraiser, and volunteers with Be the Match, an organization that connects leukemia and lymphoma patients with lifesaving marrow donors.

“Nicknamed ‘Sunshine’ by her colleagues, Shannon always has a smile on her face and lifts up everyone around her," asserts Women & Children's Services Director Tamara Mitchell. "Patients consistently tell us that she makes them feel like her only patient, and they appreciate her attentiveness to their families as well. She also generously gives of her time as a mentor to help set the next generation of nurses up for success.”