From Colleagues to Caregivers: Where Life’s First Moments Feel Like Home

For many families, choosing where to welcome a new baby comes down to trust. For our staff, that decision carries an added layer of meaning. They know the people, the teams, and the level of care behind the scenes. Being cared for by people you work with every day requires a high level of trust and vulnerability, but for many GRH employees, that trust comes naturally.

“As both a staff member and a patient, choosing to give birth here feels incredibly meaningful to me,” said Employee Health & Safety Program Coordinator Brooke Thompson. “Working here gives me a unique view of the exceptional care we provide, and that firsthand experience has built a deep trust in our processes, our staff, and our providers. I feel confident knowing I’m cared for by a team that is compassionate, skilled, and truly dedicated to families.”

Not only does Brooke work at GRH, but her husband, Chad, is our Materials Management Director, and her mother, Paige, is our Health Information Management Coding Manager. But the connections for Brooke don’t stop there – this May, Brooke delivered her daughter with Kari Knodel Vettel, MPAS, PA-C, the very same provider who delivered Brooke at GRH 31 years ago.

“That full circle moment is incredibly special and something not many people get to experience,” said Brooke. “It speaks volumes about the dedication, continuity of care, and deep roots this team has in our community. It has made my experience even more memorable and meaningful.”

While the provider and location are the same, much has changed in the Birth Center that Brooke was born in. Our newly-renovated Birth Center offers modern amenities and state-of-the-art features that reflects our commitment to delivering the best care possible for our patients.

Brooke’s experience has gone beyond fresh spaces and extends to familiar faces.

“I know firsthand that this is a judgment-free environment, and I’m fully confident in the care I’ve received,” said Brooke. “That level of trust allowed me to feel comfortable being vulnerable and fully present in the experience, knowing I’ve been surrounded by a compassionate, professional team who truly cares. It gave me a deep sense of trust and ease.”

Whether it’s familiar smiling faces at registration, providers who show up no matter the hour, or the comfort of being truly known – these experiences reflect the culture we strive to create every day. It’s care that goes beyond clinical excellence – it’s personal, it’s compassionate, and for those who know it best, it’s exactly where they would choose to be for life’s most meaningful moments.

Brooke and Chad aren’t alone in their choice. Many of our staff have trusted GRH with their pregnancy and birth experience – a powerful reflection of the confidence they have in our care.

“As a staff member, I get to see firsthand how our providers and nursing team treat all their patients – it made it easy to trust their expertise and recommendations throughout my entire labor and delivery. Everyone asks, ‘Isn’t it weird delivering a baby where you work and know everyone?’ To that, I would say there is nothing better. From my provider and our nursing team, to receiving pelvic floor physical therapy from my coworker Erin Sauter, PT, DPT, PRPC, it meant a lot to be cared for by colleagues I know and trust. Knowing that delivering a baby can be one of the most meaningful and vulnerable moments in a person’s life, I would choose care at Glencoe over and over again.”
– Alyssa Mohr, PT, DPT | Rehabilitation Services

“What initially drew me to deliver at GRH was knowing that my provider would be there for my delivery. That level of commitment gave me so much peace of mind, knowing she would be with me every step of the way. Unlike other hospitals where you may have whoever is on call, GRH providers are dedicated to their patients and come in at any day or time to be there for such an important moment. That continuity and personal connection meant a great deal to me. GRH’s level of care is truly exceptional — you will not be disappointed. From the moment you arrive, you’re treated like family, and the experience surpasses every expectation.”
– Jamie Maass | Patient Access

“While I wasn’t an employee when I gave birth to my children, I will say that my patient experience pushed
me toward exploring employment opportunities at GRH. I immediately noticed the sense of community, warmth, and friendliness of staff. I’m blessed to work at an organization that embraces a strong and positive culture focused on both patient and employee satisfaction. No matter what department I visited, I was met with a smiling face and the feeling that I was cared for. I’ll always remember Marilyn, who worked at the registration desk during my appointments. She was always so cheerful, always remembered my name, and seemed genuinely happy to see me each time. She left a lasting impression.”
– Danielle Johnson | Health Information Management

Are you starting your pregnancy journey?

Learn more about our Birth Center and meet our team of providers by clicking here.