Nurse Designs Shirts for Babies, Staff
A nurse at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital is spreading holiday cheer all year long.
Anne Huth, RNC, is the creator behind the festive onesie that’s given to each baby born at the hospital during a holiday. Huth said she came up with idea after purchasing a special machine that designs T-shirts.
“Father’s Day was the first one I made for the babies and I’ve been doing it for every holiday since then,” said Huth, a nursing supervisor in the labor and deliver unit at Texas Health Arlington Memorial.
Weeks before a holiday, Huth searches Pinterest and Etsy for inspiration. She said sometimes the idea or design just comes to her.
“I try not to do first Christmas or first Thanksgiving because you can get those anywhere,” Huth said.
Huth, who has been working at the hospital for 20 years, said the hospital supplies the shirts, but she creates them on her own time, using her own money.
“Anne has selflessly provided the creativity, time and expertise in making the shirts,” said Kathleen Harlow, RNC-OB, M.S.N., manager of labor and delivery, postpartum and the newborn nursery. “She also went above and beyond and made customized shirts for every nurse, certified surgical technologist (CST) and physician working in labor and delivery for Thanksgiving.”
During the Christmas season, she made 10 onesies for the labor and delivery unit and 10 for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Nastassia Davis had her baby a few days before Christmas. She said she was surprised when a nurse handed her the candy cane onesie but “loved it.”
“It’s a fun, extra surprise for families who are stuck in the hospital on a holiday,” Huth said. “I think it helps them enjoy the holiday and get into the holiday spirit.”
Shonna Bracco, D.N.P., R.N., NEA-BC, said this gift is just one example of how the care team provides a wow experience for patients with personalized interactions.
“We want each mom and baby we care for to feel celebrated and loved,” said Bracco, chief nursing officer at Texas Health Arlington Memorial. “This is the true art of health care, compassion and kindness, and I believe this speaks volumes about the hearts of our team working in Arlington.”
The care team has delivered about 1,800 babies each year, over the past four years.
“I truly enjoy doing this for the babies and my co-workers,” Huth said. “It makes new moms feel special and it’s something different that they wouldn’t get at another hospital.”
Huth and her holiday onesies were featured on local news. Watch the CBS 11 story here.
By Amanda Uffman • Posted February 11, 2020
