During her time as an OB nurse, then a midwife at the Family Birthing Center at Noyes Memorial Hospital, Christina Kranz was described by her coworkers as being compassionate, helpful, gracious, and impossible to forget.
These are just some of the reasons UR Medicine Noyes Health chose to dedicate the nursery in the Family Birthing Center in her memory.
Christina passed away from cancer on Thursday, August 21, 2021 following a long fight with cancer.
The dedication took place in front of the hospital Monday, May 15 and was attended by her former coworkers, friends and family. The DAISY Award was also presented to Kranz’ family in her memory during the ceremony.
“Receiving a Daisy Award is a huge honor for a nurse,” said Heather Burritt, Nurse Educator at Noyes. “I got very emotional reading all of the nominations that came in for Christina.”
Many of her former coworkers spoke about their experiences working with Christina and read some of her nominations for the DAISY award, which she won posthumously in November 2021.
“Christina has helped countless mothers, babies and families in the most exciting time of their lives and also sometimes the scariest,” said Jennifer Canfield, who not only worked with Christina, but also went to college with her. “I have learned so much from Christina — about labor and delivery world and also the real world. She is honestly the best person I’ve ever met, anyone would agree as soon as you meet her, your life is forever changed.”
“I’ve was by her side during countless deliveries,” said Kelsey Gray of working with Christina. “She spoke to her patients with such calmness. Pregnant moms always locked eyes with her because she was the voice of reason and stillness in one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. In the last few months of her life, Christina was so very sick but you never would have known, as she continued to care for her patients with such grace. She never let anyone down. She would have a procedure done, receive chemotherapy, and come to work to care for women and their babies the very same day.”
During the ceremony, a plaque was unveiled, which will be hung outside the hospital nursery. It reads: “This nursery is dedicated to the memory of Christina Kranz. May she continue to watch over laboring mothers and their babies from heaven as she did while she was on earth.”
For photos of the event, visit: https://bit.ly/ChristinaKranz
For a video of the ceremony, visit: https://bit.ly/KranzNurseryVideo
