Daughter Follows Mom’s Footsteps to Become NICU Nurse at Chicago Hospital Where She Was Born as a Preemie

**Mother and Daughter Unite in Dedication at Chicago NICU**

Emma McGee has fond memories of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, which she describes as feeling like a second home. It is no mere sentiment, as the young nurse’s connection to the hospital runs deep: she was born prematurely in the very ward where she now cares for others. Emma works alongside her mother, Katie, who has also dedicated her career to nursing.

In a touching reflection shared with ABC 7 Chicago, Emma recounted how her experience as a preterm infant in 1997 propelled her towards a nursing career. She and her brother were placed in the care of NICU nurses at the hospital shortly after their birth. Katie, who was a new mother at the time, still remembers the emotional turmoil she faced. “I will never forget how stressful it was, and I will never forget the people who were put in my path,” she stated, recalling the pivotal role that NICU staff played during those early days.

What makes this narrative even more poignant is that Emma now works alongside some of the very nurses who once looked after her, including Doreen Doran. “The day Emma came onto the unit and her mum saw us together, she was crying; the two of us had gone full circle,” Doran recounted, highlighting the interconnectedness of their experiences. For Emma, the NICU facility has continually represented safety and support, a notion she communicates to nervous parents entering the ward today.

“It’s like a healing circle,” she explained. When faced with anxious parents unsure about their newborn’s recovery, Emma often draws on her own remarkable journey as a former patient. “Usually parents are really astonished to hear this story, and I think it gives them a lot of comfort,” she added. Her personal connection and the hope it brings have made her a beacon of reassurance for families navigating the challenges of prematurity.

Emma and Katie’s relationship as colleagues adds a unique dynamic to their roles in the hospital. On a typical day, the duo frequently crosses paths, each greeting the other with warmth. “I would say, ‘Hi, honey,’ or give her a little kiss on the head,” Katie shared, which often results in curious looks from newer nurses witnessing their tender exchanges. Emma delightfully noted how some staff members are taken aback and inquire about the identity of the affectionate nurse. “I tell them, ‘That’s my mum,’” she said with a smile.

As Mother’s Day approaches, Emma is prepared to continue her commitment to the NICU. She has scheduled a 12-hour shift in which she aims to ensure that vulnerable little ones receive the best care possible, while simultaneously supporting the mothers who deserve a moment to breathe easy. In Katie’s case, the mother of five is looking forward to enjoying the holiday with a celebratory brunch.

The touching bond between Emma and Katie illustrates more than the personal connection of family; it highlights a dedication to nursing that transcends generations. Their shared experiences in a profession defined by compassion continue to inspire not only the families they serve but also their colleagues within the hospital walls.