I was honored to be selected as a recipient of this scholarship last semester. I initially questioned whether I should reapply this year, wanting to leave room for another deserving applicant to have the same opportunity. However, I have been reminded often lately that if I do not show up for myself, others won't either. So, this is me showing up for myself—again. Hello! My name is Kathryn Braddock Dellinger. I have dreamed of delivering babies for as long as I can remember. However, I never imagined just how naturally the pieces would eventually fall into place. When the University of South Carolina announced its Certified Nurse-Midwifery program, I felt that God was answering the "when," "where," and "who" questions, leaving little room for doubt. The time was now. The distance was manageable. And the people I have encountered along the way have been far greater than I could have ever imagined. Throughout this journey, particularly over the past year, I have relied on that same faith and trust in the Lord. I remind myself that just as He got me here, He will get me through. On the days when I feel overwhelmed, tired, or uncertain, I return to that truth. Life also has a way of reminding us of when it is time to slow down and prioritize ourselves. Caring for others has always come naturally to me. I show up consistently for the people I love, whether in times of celebration or sorrow. I go the extra mile to remind others how worthy and loved they are, and I strive to be a constant source of support for those around me. Yet, I have realized that I often fall short when it comes to offering myself that same kindness. With that realization, I made a promise to myself: to do better. I want to learn how to care for my own mind, body, and soul with the same intention that I use when caring for others. More importantly, this is something I hope to carry into my future career as a Certified Nurse-Midwife and encourage in the people I have the privilege of caring for. Providing safe, competent patient care is essential, but I believe our responsibility as healthcare providers extends beyond meeting basic clinical needs. I hope to practice with grace, compassion, and kindness while reminding my patients that caring for themselves is not selfish—it is necessary. I often use the analogy that we are all cups of water. Throughout our lives, we pour from our cups into those around us when they are struggling, lacking, or simply in need of a little extra support. But in doing so, we must remember to refill and care for our own cups as well. We cannot continue pouring into others when our own cup has run dry. So, this application is me pouring back into myself. Its value is not determined by whether I receive this scholarship. Simply submitting it is a reminder to slow down, acknowledge how far I have come, advocate for myself, and recognize that I, too, am worthy of the same support I so readily give to others. Receiving this scholarship previously was an incredible honor, and I remain sincerely grateful for your investment in me and my education. Thank you for considering me once again and for taking the time to hear a small piece of my story. Regardless of the outcome, I am grateful for the reminder this opportunity has given me: sometimes, showing up for others begins with learning how to show up for yourself.

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.