Labor and delivery nurse Alexandra (Alex) Flaherty exemplifies the skill, resilience and compassion that is crucial in her role. Her work at our Pavilion for Women in the Medical Center goes beyond the expected, weaving joy and kindness into every patient’s experience. Filled with dedication and heart, Alex reminds us of the profound impact nurses have on countless lives.
Bringing extra love to families
Alex’s creativity and empathy shine brightest in the photographs she’s created to celebrate our tiniest patients born during holidays and special occasions. The project started simply, with a visit from the marketing team before Thanksgiving. “They mentioned taking photos of holiday babies, and I thought, ‘Well, what do we have for them to wear?’ So, I got online and bought swaddles, bows, and other cute things to make it special,” Alex shared.
During the holiday season, Alex collaborated with fellow nurse Katie Gonzales to dress and photograph newborns born on Christmas and New Year’s Day at our hospital in North Austin. “For Valentine’s Day in the Med Center, Katie and I will team up again,” Alex shared. “Even families who don’t want their baby’s photo shared publicly love having keepsakes. I’ll take pictures on their phones, so they have those memories.”
Empathy in every moment
Alex has the ability to connect with families, no matter the situation—welcoming new life while sometimes supporting them through heartbreaking losses. She carries out her work with grace and deep empathy, offering comfort in every moment. She shared the story of one particularly long day when she stayed beyond her shift to ensure a family felt supported.
“The mom had pushed for hours before needing a C-section. It was late, and she was so tired. But her family wanted a photo of their baby dressed up for New Year’s. My coworker and I stayed to make it happen,” Alex said. “The baby was perfect and let us pose her in so many ways. I’ll never forget the joy that moment brought to the family—it’s those connections that stay with me.”
The amazing team that makes it possible
For Alex, none of this would be possible without the incredible support of her team and leadership. “The unit can get very busy with deliveries, transfers, ICU status patients and add-on inductions,” she explained. On particularly hectic days, she and her team find creative ways to lift each other’s spirits. Alex and Dr. Courtney Wang organized a unit bake-off, complete with a trophy made from a bedazzled speculum. “Sometimes we’ll do a boba run or have a cake delivered to keep our energy up,” she added. “I wouldn’t want to be surrounded by anyone else. My team has truly become my family.”
This culture of care extends to emotional support during difficult times. Alex recalls how leadership responded after a maternal death three years ago. “They immediately organized an emotional debrief and kept checking on us afterward. They made it clear our mental health mattered,” she remembered. “I’ve never felt so supported in my career. They genuinely care about both patients and staff.”
The difference we make together
Alex’s “labor of love” reminds us that small acts of kindness and joyful gestures leave lasting impressions, reflecting our core values and our desire to make a difference, one family at a time.
As Alex said, “Families come to us from all over the world, often for highly specialized care. We want them to feel supported and valued—not just as patients but as people. It’s about showing them that we care, in every way possible.”
In celebration of the extraordinary work happening across our organization, we want to thank all of our nurses and team members who will go above and beyond this Valentine’s Day—and every day—to show a little extra love to our patients. Your dedication is “The Difference” at Texas Children’s.
