My name is Kathryn (Kate) Braddock, and I am currently enrolled in USC’s first-ever Master of Nursing Midwifery cohort. Delivering babies has truly been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I distinctly recall answering the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” in second grade with, “An OB-GYN.” Fast forward to my freshman year of college, when my advisor introduced me to the field of midwifery—I never looked back. My obstetrics professor, a Certified Nurse Midwife, embodied the core values of what it means to be a CNM. She instilled in us the importance of excellence, evidence-based care, inclusiveness, and so much more. She also advised me to gain experience in critical care, and I followed that guidance. After graduating in May 2020, I entered nursing during the uphill battle of a global pandemic. I managed ventilators, titrated pressors, ran CRRT, administered enteral feedings, and performed more postmortem care than any 22-year-old ever should. And although it feels strange to admit, I am grateful for that experience. My two years in the ICU gave me invaluable knowledge, confidence, and growth in critical thinking and time management. Once I had built that foundation, I knew it was time to transition to labor and delivery and fully commit to my path of becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife. There have been countless “God winks” along the way that have guided me here. While I couldn’t always make sense of them in the moment, I can now see the bigger picture and appreciate the challenges I’ve overcome to reach this point. Through the past few years, I have also had the privilege of working with Linda George, a CNM, who left some very big shoes to fill. While I know it will never be easy, I am determined to give this calling everything I have. I believe the gifts and blessings we receive are meant to be shared with others, and nursing is the perfect avenue for that. As a labor and delivery nurse, I have shared thousands of intimate moments with patients and families. I view each of these encounters as a blessing and strive to leave a positive impact. I do this by fostering a judgment-free environment and supporting patients’ autonomy and informed decision-making. I set aside personal preferences and serve as a neutral advocate. As I move forward in achieving my dream of becoming a CNM, I will carry this same philosophy with me. I want my patients to feel heard and valued—not dismissed. I will work toward this by providing education grounded in up-to-date, evidence-based practices while maintaining excellence, inclusivity, and respect for every patient’s right to choose. In a world often clouded by hate and harm, my goal is to serve as a safe and supportive presence for all.

My name is Kathryn (Kate) Braddock, and I am currently enrolled in USC’s first-ever Master of Nursing Midwifery cohort. Delivering babies has truly been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I distinctly recall answering the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” in second grade with, “An OB-GYN.” Fast forward to my freshman year of college, when my advisor introduced me to the field of midwifery—I never looked back. My obstetrics professor, a Certified Nurse Midwife, embodied the core values of what it means to be a CNM. She instilled in us the importance of excellence, evidence-based care, inclusiveness, and so much more. She also advised me to gain experience in critical care, and I followed that guidance. After graduating in May 2020, I entered nursing during the uphill battle of a global pandemic. I managed ventilators, titrated pressors, ran CRRT, administered enteral feedings, and performed more postmortem care than any 22-year-old ever should. And although it feels strange to admit, I am grateful for that experience. My two years in the ICU gave me invaluable knowledge, confidence, and growth in critical thinking and time management. Once I had built that foundation, I knew it was time to transition to labor and delivery and fully commit to my path of becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife. There have been countless “God winks” along the way that have guided me here. While I couldn’t always make sense of them in the moment, I can now see the bigger picture and appreciate the challenges I’ve overcome to reach this point. Through the past few years, I have also had the privilege of working with Linda George, a CNM, who left some very big shoes to fill. While I know it will never be easy, I am determined to give this calling everything I have. I believe the gifts and blessings we receive are meant to be shared with others, and nursing is the perfect avenue for that. As a labor and delivery nurse, I have shared thousands of intimate moments with patients and families. I view each of these encounters as a blessing and strive to leave a positive impact. I do this by fostering a judgment-free environment and supporting patients’ autonomy and informed decision-making. I set aside personal preferences and serve as a neutral advocate. As I move forward in achieving my dream of becoming a CNM, I will carry this same philosophy with me. I want my patients to feel heard and valued—not dismissed. I will work toward this by providing education grounded in up-to-date, evidence-based practices while maintaining excellence, inclusivity, and respect for every patient’s right to choose. In a world often clouded by hate and harm, my goal is to serve as a safe and supportive presence for all.