Kyra Laney, RN, is A Steady Light in an Unexpected Storm

When a delivery takes an unexpected turn, the right nurse can make all the difference. For one family at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia, that nurse was Kyra Laney—and her extraordinary care has earned her the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an international honor recognizing nurses who provide exceptional compassion and skill.

Laney, a labor and delivery nurse, met the family during a moment of heightened stress: a shift change, labor progressing rapidly at just over 37 weeks, and emotions running high. Amid their fear, she brought calm, reassurance, and a sense of safety that transformed the entire birth experience.

“Our nurse didn’t just go through the motions; she saw us, heard us, and walked every step of the journey with us. She was more than medical care; she was emotional support, spiritual strength, and a guiding light,” the family shared.

From that first moment, Laney’s approach went beyond clinical skill. She sat with the mother, encouraged her, and became a steady source of emotional and spiritual support. The family recalls how she made the environment “safe, normal, and even joyful,” helping them navigate the intensity of the moment with grace.

One memory in particular speaks volumes: Laney, quite literally, getting down on the floor post-delivery to help the new mother feel clean and comfortable.

“She reassured me when I didn’t feel like I was doing enough… never letting me feel less than a mother,” said the new mom.

Her dedication extended to the very end of her shift and beyond. The family described her as “a ray of sunshine”—a nurse whose presence blessed not only them but also the healthy baby girl they welcomed into the world.

Maureen Jackson, Chief Nursing Officer at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, summed up why Laney was chosen for this honor.

“Kyra’s dedication, empathy, and clinical excellence truly embody what it means to be a Phoebe nurse. She not only delivered outstanding care but also provided emotional and spiritual support during a critical time for this family. We are proud to honor her with the DAISY Award.”

For Laney’s patients, the impact was deeply personal and lasting.

“We are so thankful that the Lord placed her and us together at the same time. We hope she knows the impact she made on us will never be forgotten,” the family shared.

With her unwavering compassion and exceptional skill, Kyra Laney is more than deserving of the title Nurse of the Week and is a shining example of the profound difference one nurse can make when she treats the heart as skillfully as the patient.

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Renee Hewitt

Editor-in-Chief at Springer Publishing

Renée Hewitt is a seasoned writer, editor, and content strategist with a 20+ year background in PR, marketing, and storytelling. She curates impactful content that informs, inspires, and advocates for the nursing profession. Her work spans healthcare, wellness, lifestyle, and thought leadership—always with an eye for engaging narratives that connect with audiences.