Nurses are the backbone of our health care system. From lending an empathetic ear to administering medications to sitting with us when it feels like the world is falling down around us, they are there—making us feel human while seeming superhuman themselves. The nurses within these pages are the ones you nominated for their lasting influence, and they are truly the champions of our West Virginia centers of care. Read their stories, discover what inspires them, and be inspired yourself.

Ashlee Swiger

RN WVU Medicine Children’s Specialty: Pediatrics

Like most aspiring nurses, Ashlee Swiger wanted to pursue a career in which she could help people. “Nurses have the most contact with patients—we’re there 24/7,” she says. “I wanted to be able to be there for these people in their time of need.”

Swiger admits she had a challenging time during her clinicals—until she found her passion in pediatrics. During her junior year at the WVU School of Nursing, she fell in love with caring for pediatric patients. She interviewed for a job in October, seven months before graduation, to ensure she would have a position at WVU Medicine Children’s hospital.

Three years later, in her position as a pediatric registered nurse, the Elkins native finds herself inspired by her work. “Pediatrics really combines the scientific part of the profession along with the compassionate and fun side of nursing,” Swiger says. “I love addressing their mental health and emotional needs. It can be as simple as playing with them in the hallway, bringing them some stickers, or making sure their friends can FaceTime or visit. I try to make hospitalization less scary and more fun.”

The parents of Swiger’s patients especially appreciate the enthusiasm she brings to her work. She dresses up for holidays, wears fun scrubs, and works with her colleagues to host fun activities for patients. “I have the opportunity to care both for patients and their families. It’s really cool having that opportunity to teach parents how to take care of a new diagnosis or disease,” Swiger says. “It’s scary and it’s life-changing, but it doesn’t have to be all bad. It’s an honor to be able to teach these families and shed a positive light on the situation.”

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