"She doesn’t just see a patient, she sees the whole person,” Patricia Bery, a mom of two, told 'Today'
Credit: HCA Florida Brandon Hospital
NEED TO KNOW
- Patricia Bery credits nurse Laurie Van Damme for providing emotional support during her high-risk pregnancy
- Van Damme stayed by Bery’s side through appointments and an emergency C-section, offering unwavering care
- Bery named her second daughter Nhori after Van Damme, honoring the nurse’s compassion and kindness
One mom gave her perinatal nurse one of the highest honors she could have ever received.
When Patricia Bery, a 38-year-old mom of two, was pregnant with her first child she received frightening news that her baby's kidneys were not developing at the same rate. This meant that she was now going through a high-risk pregnancy. After her team of physicians delivered the life-changing diagnosis to her, they abruptly left her in the hospital room to process all of her fears.
Bery recalled the harrowing moment during an interview with Today. She told the outlet that she was "sitting there in tears" when one perinatal nurse showed up for her in the moment she needed it most.
“I was sitting there in tears, and she was like, ‘Let’s get you something to drink,’ ” Bery, 38, told the outlet. “Miss Laurie stopped everything for me. I’ll never forget it.”
Credit: HCA Florida Brandon Hospital
In one of the scariest moments of the mom-to-be's life, Van Damme, 49, offered her comfort, sharing stories of families who faced similar situations. She went even further, promising Bery to be there with her every step of the way, attending every appointment with her moving forward.
“This is more than a job for Miss Laurie,” Bery told Today. “She doesn’t just see a patient, she sees the whole person.”
Van Damme, who started her career as a labor and delivery nurse, kept her promise to Bery. She stayed beside her as an advocate and confidant. Her dedication and unyielding passion for her career continued to show throughout Van Damme's pregnancy, and Bery was there when an emergency threatened the health of the expectant mother's baby.
Bery was involved in a car accident that left her unable to feel the baby move. When the local hospital discharged her a few hours later, Van Damme told her to go to HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, where staff were already aware of her situation. She met Bery in triage and stayed with her during her emergency C-section, helping her through the entire process.
“Her being there with me made all the difference,” Bery said.
Bery and her husband, James Tolbert, welcomed their baby girl, Neriah, in May 2024, and felt Van Damme's support every step of the way. While they may have separated physically, Bery never forgot how much love and support Van Damme showed her in those moments.
Months later, when Bery found out that she was pregnant with her second child, Van Damme became one of the first few people she told. Again, the nurse was there with Bery every step of the way, present at every scan and appointment for the baby.
“They always say you remember how people impact you, but you forget their names. I didn’t want to forget hers,” Bery told the outlet. “God placed Miss Laurie in my life, and I want to always remember her.”
Credit: HCA Florida Brandon Hospital
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When Bery welcomed her second daughter into the world, she knew she wanted to choose a name that reflected her deep connection with Van Damme. She decided to name her baby girl Nhori after Van Damme.
“She has all the qualities I want my daughter to have: compassionate, consistent, truly caring," Bery shared. "And that’s the kind of character I hope Nhori grows into."
Upon hearing the news that Bery named her second-born after her, Van Damme told Today she "had tears" in her eyes. She described the unexpected moment as both "humbling and beautiful."
“Patricia wanted to carry a piece of someone she felt was filled with goodness and light with her family,” Van Damme said. “I had tears. As a nurse, you don’t expect to be a permanent part of someone’s life, and to have them want that, it’s humbling and beautiful. I still get choked up thinking about it. I feel so blessed to do this work, to focus on people, not just numbers. That’s what nursing is really about.”
Although Bery is typically a private person, she wanted to share her story with Today to put a spotlight on the importance of treating people with kindness and respect. She told the outlet that she hopes her story inspires other medical professionals to treat patients as people and not extra cases. To Bery, human connection during the most trying times can make all the difference.
“I want people to know how far kindness goes in healthcare,” Bery said. “Being seen, heard, and treated like a person — it changes everything.”
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