story and photo by
Vickie Jenkins, staff writer
Reaching a milestone, for the first time in 50 years, Mercy welcomed new life and care for women in a new woman’s center on the campus of Mercy Hospital. With an opening date of April 7, 2024, the Love Family Women’s Center, offers a host of new services for families and women of all ages. Their multi-specialty team of OB/GYN physicians, certified nurses, midwives and pediatricians deliver comprehensive care with compassion. There are 73 spacious rooms dedicated to women’s health care, including new childbirth suites to serve women and infants, Oklahoma City’s first obstetrics emergency department, three large C-section suites connected to the hospital, Oklahoma’s first hospital-based midwifery program and dedicated space for women’s surgical rest and recovery.
Greeted with a warm smile, I met Carol Beecher, RN, OB/GYN manager of mother, baby and women’s education. She clearly loves her job, bringing 28 years of experience as an OB/GYN nurse. “I love working in labor and delivery, helping to bring babies into the world,” Carol remarked.
Growing up in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Carol graduated from Kingfisher High School, unsure of what to pursue in college. At 18 years old, she took a job working for an obstetrician at Enid Hospital and this experience helped her decide on her career path. Carol pursued a degree in nursing, graduating from Redlands Community College in El Reno, Oklahoma and became an OB/GYN nurse.
Carol explained that she served as an OB/GYN assistant manager at Mercy for 12 years and has been a manager for the last year. Currently, she is one of two managers at Love Family Women’s Center. Carol stays busy throughout the day managing unit staffing, overseeing productivity, statistical work, assisting in labor and delivery when needed, advocating for patients, handling hiring, firing and counseling. “I stay busy all day but it is a good busy,” she said. “I work with wonderful people and we work well together. To describe my job in one word, I would say, ‘amazing,’” she commented.
When asked if she had any mentors in nursing school, Carol replied, “When I worked at Enid hospital, there was a labor and delivery nurse whom I highly respected. She taught me so much and was always nice and patient. Looking back, I realize how much she meant to me and the lasting impression she left on my life.”
Asking Carol what qualities a good nurse should have, Carol replied, “I think a good nurse needs motivation, the ability to be a team player, and some leadership skills,” she added, “I have faith in the people we have here and in Love Family Women’s Center.”
Carol enjoys being a nurse because she loves caring for people. “Being a labor and delivery nurse is such a joyous experience and I’m there to support the mothers and family members,” she explained. “Sometimes, it’s not always a joyous moment for some parents, but we have a wonderful support team. I’m glad to be a part of a baby’s life.”
I asked Carol about her strongest qualities as a nurse. “I think my strongest qualities are my honesty and dependability, and I always strive to do my best,” she said. “I’m a good listener and I never make assumptions. I tell my new nurses if they have a question and don’t know the answer, they should always ask. There is no such thing as a bad question.”
When asked what advice she would give to someone pursuing a career in nursing, Carol replied, “I would tell them that during clinicals, they shouldn’t be afraid to try different areas. Keep an open mind. There are so many different opportunities in nursing and you’ll never know unless you try. Never give up. If you stay strong, you will achieve having the most rewarding job you will ever know.”
Even though Carol stays busy at work, she makes time to spend with her family. “I like to garden but I love to travel. When I travel, I like to listen to audio books. Our most recent trip was to Scottsdale, Arizona. It was fun but my happy place is definitely the beach!”
