WHO IS YOUR HEALTH CARE HERO? Is there a special nurse, doctor, or healthcare professional who made a lasting impact in those first few hours, days, or months? Show your appreciation by nominating them for the Mamie’s Poppy Plates Healthcare Hero Award.
Follow us on social media as we share your stories! Help us celebrate the compassionate individuals who have made a difference in your story. Submit your nomination today!
Nominations Accepted: April 1-18 / Winner Announced: April 25, 2025
Past Recipients
OUR 2025 NOMINEES
Dr. Taylor Ghahremani
UAMS
I had a baby, Noah with Trisomy 18.
Sadly, our baby passed away minutes after he was born. I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant with our rainbow baby and Dr. Ghahremani is the most compassionate doctor I have ever encountered. We appreciate the love, support and kindness she has shown to our family.
-Shannon Nees-
Leah Mount -
L&D BSN, RN / Kaiser Permanente -Woodland Hills CA
Leah was my Nurse when we lost our daughter, Leilani Rose. She was very compassionate & gentle with us. Upon learning that we would most likely lose my daughter, Leah stood by our side and truly made us feel loved and understood. She truly cared and it showed. Once Leilani was born without a heartbeat I held her in my arms and at one point I started rocking her. I mentioned it to Leah and she said “yes, of course, she’s your daughter and you are mothering her”. Words I will never forget. We baptized Leilani and Leah was with us and even offered to record it for us and to take a picture of us. Something I truly appreciate to this day. Had it not been for Leah, we would not have those memories to look back on and to share. We were given a memory box and inside was a personalized letter from Leah which also included a wooden block. She drew a red rose on it with the Letter “L” referencing Leilani’s name. Something I will forever treasure. Leah will always hold a special place in our hearts.
-Angie Andrade-
Reagan Beaver
RN / Baxter Health Women and Newborn Care Center
Reagan is one of our people on the unit that always go above and beyond for her loss mamas. One particular pt she really bonded with. Mama lost her sweet twin boys and ended up having to stay on the unit longer than planned. I believe she ended up readmitted as well for infection. Reagan cared for her during most of her admission both times and went above and beyond as she always does with her babies on her initial admission. Reagan got multiple footprints and did her best with handprints. She also went through our demise things and collected as many keepsakes as she could and made Mama a weighted stuffed animal for each baby. As you can imagine, the sweet Mama appreciated those very much. Reagan later discovered that the mother worked in our hospital coffee shop so she got to keep up with her through that. One day, the patient came to the unit and brought Reagan her favorite coffee and a gift for I believe it was Christmas. Reagan is amazing and I always love working with her to bring the best memories possible to a Mama in one of her worst moments of her life. It is always hard to get to work and discover your assignment is a sad one but, Reagan handles it beautifully every time.
-Halen Braun-
Misty Everett
RN / Baptist Health Medical Center
Without Misty Everett we wouldn’t have the memories of our precious baby. She is a fantastic L&D nurse but on top of that she is heaven sent to deal with such a trying and tragic time in our lives (and so many others) She greeted us with open arms and treated us like we were the only ones on the unit to make us feel as comfortable as we could in our real life tragedy. She took initiative to fill in for the professional photographer that couldn’t make it that night and captured such sweet memories that we only have today of our baby on our walls. She worked so hard on his memory box at the hospital and put original touches on each item that belonged to him as she bathe him, posed him and his precious prints for his collection. These are the only things we have left of him! Without her being there and staying strong and courageous throughout that process we wouldn’t have those memories. I think about her often and I’m so thankful she came into our lives to be able to give us this gift!
-Jackie Wallis-
Nicole Peterson
RN - Arkansas Women’s Center
From the very first appointment to the final moments of my care, Nicole Peterson consistently went above and beyond to provide not just excellent medical support, but genuine kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness.
Nicole answered every single one of my silly questions and gave me reassurance during every stressful moment. She checked on me during labor when she couldn’t be there. She followed up with me and checked on me when I had severe post partum anxiety. She was my cheerleader the whole time. She treats her patients like family. Her dedication to and love for her patients is unmatched.
She is a shining example of what nursing should be: skilled, empathetic, and committed to making a difference. She didn’t just do her job—she made a lasting impact.
-Brenna Calley-
Dr. Ananth Ranganathan (Dr. Rango)
Arkansas Women’s Center
From the moment I was able to book a same day appointment as a new patient, I knew Dr. Rango was the right Dr. for me. For the past three years, my family would frequently travel over 4 hours for routine appointments at my fertility clinic. Thanks to Dr. Rango, we were able to go from 3-5 trips to per month to only 2 trips for the entire year of 2024. Being high risk caused me to start seeing Dr. Rango once a week during my first trimester. During my appointments, I never felt like a burden and I was always greeted with a smile and open arms.
At a routine prenatal appointment in the late third trimester, Dr. Rango informed me I had to have an emergency c-section with general anesthesia so no family could be in the room. If I wasn’t able to be awake for the delivery or have family present in the room, then I wanted the only sense of normalcy available. I wanted Dr. Rango to deliver my baby and he did. Dr. Rango isn’t just my OBGYN, he’s family and that’s why he deserves the Healthcare Hero Award.
-Mariska Rhynes-
Dr. Rango gave my wife hope when we were going through fertility and he made things easier for her and myself. Thanks to him, I no longer had to take off to go to every appointment with her because I trusted him and she felt comfortable. He also delivered my son and when he told my wife she was having a baby, he made sure I was there and reassured me everything would be okay. My mom met him during the delivery and she still asks about him every time she sees her grandson. She always says “He is a very good Doctor”. Dr. Rango deserves the title of Healthcare Hero.
-Gabe Rhynes-
Dr. Rango deserves the Healthcare Hero award because he gives moms and grandmas confidence and reassurance. As a mom, I am so used to selecting Dr.’s for my daughter, but since she is an adult she selects her own. From the moment she told me she was able to get a same day new patient appointment with him, I knew he was the Dr. for her. I would accompany her to every appointment and not only would he talk to her as his patient, he would also ask how I was doing. I took a vacation while she was pregnant and missed a couple appointments. The excitement he had when I returned was so warming. I cried when he told my daughter she would have to be intubated in order to deliver my grandson. I told him to take care of my daughter and he promised me he would. He kept his promise and now she and my grandson are doing just fine.
-Cheryl Harris-
Dr. Ranganathan (“Dr. Rango”) renewed my trust in maternal medicine. After a pregnancy loss, I was anxious during my pregnancy with my first daughter, just looking for someone to empathize. I didn’t attain that level of comfort, so when I became pregnant again, I sought out Dr. Rango. Dr. Rango encouraged my questions and worked to plan my desired VBAC. I kept waiting for him to dismiss my fears, but he never did. My elementary math teachers were fond of saying “show your work” and that is what I was missing from the medical world. Dr. Rango is a master of patient care. While he was honest about the likelihood of VBAC success and the myriad of factors that go into it, he never spoke above me. He discussed everything in detail without assuming that I wouldn’t understand. When the day came to make tough choices, I heeded Dr. Rango’s advice because he gained my trust. The TLDR version is that I DID have a successful VBAC because of Dr. Rango.
-Chelsea Harvey-
I’m nominating Dr. Rango because he gave me a gift that I will never be able to repay: the chance to watch my son grow up. Dr. Rango went above and beyond for me and my family from the moment we met. He encouraged us as we began the journey to start a family, held my hand as I processed the heart breaking news that we had a miscarriage, saved my life after unexpected complications arose during the birth of my son, and helped me heal both physically and emotionally in the aftermath. There are good doctors, and there are good people - Dr. Rango is both and so much more, and my family is so incredibly lucky and thankful to have had him watching over us on this journey. With our without this award, he will always be a hero to the Lane family.
-Erin Lane-
Dr. Megha Sharma
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Dr. Sharma is very empathetic and help us transition our 20 week preemie.
-Kevin R-
Brooke Bagley
Baptist Health Little Rock
She went above and beyond to 1. Save my own life when pre eclampsia was creeping in very quickly, she was the first to catch it. 2. Stayed by my side during the literal worst time of my life and treated me with such kindness and comfort
-Kristen Sexton-
Kalie Brown
Unity Health Hospital Searcy, AR
Kalie stayed by my sister’s side for the majority of the night after the birth and loss of my nephew. She went above and beyond the duties of a nurse; she was a friend in the midst of a tragedy. Kalie even kept in touch with our family as we laid Weston to rest. We are so thankful for Kalie, we will never forget the comfort and love she gave to us.
-Emily Osborne-
I lost my baby 1 month ago on March 5, 2025 Kalie was my night nurse both nights I was in the hospital. She was the most compassionate and sweetest nurse I had. Kalie took time out of both nights to talk and comfort when everyone else was asleep and I was too scared to sleep. She helped me so much in those first hours to days since my son Weston went to be with the angels. Kalie is an amazing nurse and person and she is always with me a healthcare hero to me!
-Courtney Vess-
She was so amazing and comforting to my daughter and my family during the toughest moments of our lives, on March 5, 2025 I lost my 1st grandson. Kalie prayed with us, cried with us and went above and beyond her jobs responsibilities she was there for my daughter and help keep her head and heart from being completely shattered. She was there when the family had to leave and stayed with her when she woke in the middle of the night and had to reface her new reality alone in the hospital room.
-Donna Vess-
She was my daughters nurse the night she lost her son. Kalie cried, prayed and comforted her when she was there she made it so our family felt safe giving her space but knowing Kalie was there helped all of us.
-Corey Vess-
Dr. John Mihelcic
Heartland Health Services
When I first found out I was pregnant I was extremely nervous to meet Dr. Mihelcic. The doctor’s office I go to is considered a group practice. I met Dr. Mihelcic at my third appointment and I knew right away that I was in good hands and would enjoy having him on my team of doctors. At my 36 week routine checkup things took a turn for the worse. I was sent to the ER where it was confirmed my baby no longer had a heartbeat and would be stillborn due to her cord being wrapped around her neck. Once Dr. Mihelcic was informed he was there and ready. Before, during, and after delivery he was the most supportive, caring, and sympathetic doctor I’ve ever seen. Dr. Mihelcic and his team of nurses truthfully made my experience the absolute best it could be for the circumstances. Dr. Mihelcic never fails to make you feel comfortable, heard, supported, or safe in his office. As a patient I will forever appreciate and cherish his support and kindness during my experience.
-Nicole Rennie-
Dr. Adam Sandlin
UAMS
My husband and I would not have survive our pregnancy without his unwavering love and constant support, not only for myself but my husband and the rest of our family.
-Hannah Rose-
My very favorite physician! When I found out that my pregnancy was “high risk”, I was worried about the road ahead. After meeting Dr. Sandlin at 20 weeks pregnant up until delivery, he never let me give up! He helped me through so many curve balls that my pregnancy threw at me. Although, he wasn’t on call when my water broke and I went into labor, he made sure I was in the best care and talked on the phone with me just before I went back to the OR for my c-section. I will always be thankful for his compassion, knowledge and genuine love for his career… Thank you for giving me my greatest gift! She made it to 38 weeks all because of you!
-Kendall Case Harper-
He helped us through a really rough pregnancy. He has always been very patient and caring while making sure we understood to the best of our abilities.
-Kylie Hodges-
Dr. Sandlin was honest, down to earth, and beyond helpful throughout my triplet pregnancy and I had never felt so seen and understood by a doctor with such support.
-Charli Sahr-
Dr. Sandlin has been an incredible blessing to our family—present through our most beautiful moments and our most heartbreaking ones. He held our hands as we faced the devastating diagnosis of TTTS with our twins, delivered them with tenderness and grace, and stood beside us as we mourned their loss with aching hearts. He gently guided us through two successful pregnancies after that tragedy, offering unwavering support and calming every fear, no matter how small and silly. And when we faced the heartbreak of two more miscarriages, it was Dr. Sandlin who delivered the news with compassion, empathy, and prayerful presence.
His kindness, respect, and deep care have meant more to us than words can express. I truly can’t imagine walking through any of our pregnancies without him. He is making a profound difference in the lives of families during their highest highs and lowest lows. A true angel on Earth.
-Heather Holcomb-
Dr. Sandlin provided the most compassionate care I have ever experienced throughout the devastating loss of our son. He cried WITH us through every scan, test, appointment, the delivery, and even my postpartum period. He made us feel seen and heard, took his time answering every question with detail, and provided comfort and advice that I still carry with me today. Most importantly he made sure we knew that our baby’s life, although short, was important. He even reached out to me on my first Mother’s Day after losing my son to make sure that I felt celebrated even though my son was not living on Earth. When we were blessed with our rainbow baby, he rejoiced with us through the whole pregnancy and delivery. There are not enough kind words to describe Dr. Sandlin and the phenomenal care he provides his patients. As a nurse, he changed the way I care for my own patients. We are forever grateful for him and the care he gave us. He is a true blessing and is changing lives everyday!
-Peytyn Daniell-
Dr. Sara Peeples
UAMS
Dr. Peeples stayed at the hospital with us all night after working all day so she could be there with us for our delivery. She made sure a photographer was present to take pictures, mementos were made, ARORA was contacted and present at our delivery so our daughters organs could be harvested. She made sure my husband was taken care of and that I was okay for the 5 day duration of our stay. She constantly sent messages and would come in person to postpartum to check on us. Our experience was as wonderful as it could have been because of her unwavering love and compassion for not only our daughter, Ellie, but for both of us as well.
-Hannah Rose-
Laurel O’Neal
Nurse Midwife/ UAMA
She has a supportive, friendly, professional, bedside manner. She understands the he patients vulnerability and s sensitive to her patients needs.
-Susan Poole-
Laurel provides phenomenal care to women through pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. Laurel helped me to feel empowered throughout my pregnancy and delivery by making sure I understood all of my options and helping me prepare to make the best decisions for myself and my baby. I am so grateful for Laurel’s expertise and patience that allowed me to have such a peaceful birthing experience!
-Diamond Sears-
Dr. Josh Ward
Conway Women’s Health Center
Dr. Ward was the best provider I could’ve asked for during my second pregnancy! He and his team never steered me wrong or left me feeling unheard for any of my concerns no matter how big or small they may have been. When I went into labor, he rushed to the hospital quick and delivered my second son within an hour of me walking into the hospital. He held my hand my entire pregnancy journey and even post partum. He is so caring and genuine!
-Raegan Hill-
He took care of both of my medically complex pregnancies. After my 2nd delivery, he brought me a Dr. Pepper because it was what I was really craving during my gestational diabetes pregnancy. He’s such a great caretaker.
-Sierra Smith-
Dr. Josh Ward deserves all the recognition! He is a wonderful OBGYN that goes above and beyond for his patients. His bedside manner is superb. He never makes you feel rushed, always listens with empathy and compassion, and made us feel so safe with each of our pregnancies. He had to call and deliver some unexpected news with my 2nd pregnancy & I was terrified. He walked us through the entire process of getting set up with MFM. We tried to switch OBGYN’s due to the possibility of my son needing higher level NICU care. We had a terrible experience with a different provider in another city closer to a NICU & we quickly realized there was not another OBGYN that would give us the care that he would. We were cleared to continue care with him and are so glad we did. Even when he’s not on call he has rushed right in to deliver all of my babies without hesitation. We drive an hour to see him even though we have many options closer to home. We are so very thankful for him & he is so deserving of this award.
-Brandi Price-
He has been the best to work with and to also be one of his patients. He’s always tentative, kind, caring, and patient not only with me when I go in routine check ups, but also with his patients when we do HSG at the main hospital! No better person who when the time is right to carry me through my pregnancy journey, he’s amazing!
-Alexsis Millett-
He is just amazing. The care that he gives to patients. The empathy he has is unmatched.
-Madison Powell-
Payton Sciarratta
RN - Virginia Hospital Center
Payton was such a God sent to us when we lost our daughter, Annie. Payton literally spent hours with us at making memories with our daughter, including as many foot and hand prints as we wanted and making sure they were perfect. She made us feel like we were the only patients in the hospital. She was so delicate to our experience, worded everything perfectly, provided so much physical and emotional support during this time. She made our experience as good as it could be given the circumstances. We could not have managed without her. We are almost a year out from our daughter's passing and Payton's care has not been forgotten and made such an impact for us.
-Alyssa O'Doherty-
Amy Galdamez
Central Clinic for Women
-Sarah Zumwalt-
Dr. Galdamez supported me and my decisions every step of the way, while making sure that my baby and I were safe. She helped make the natural birth I’ve always wanted happen.
-Suska Altenbaumer-
Dr. Sudheer Jayaprabhu
The Women’s Specialists
His care, kindness, and dedication to us as his patient’s when we lost our son to stillbirth at 20 weeks gestation was unmatched. He is the best OBGYN and we feel so blessed to call him ours!
-Lilly Hampton-
Dr Jay is one of the best doctors in Texarkana. He treats his patients like is very one family!
-Maranda Wells-
He is an awesome Christian man and doctor.
-Sarah Darnell-
He truly is the only OBGYN in the area who really cares about women! I’ve seen a few different ones & none of them cared to listen to my concerns at all. He ran all the tests, took time to discuss it with me, etc. he even went above and beyond my expectations.
-Bree Cossett-
Dr. Emily Williams
Arkansas Women’s Center
Dr. Williams met me when I was broken. I was coming off the loss of losing my son and didn’t trust healthcare professionals after the loss. After meeting with her and talking about my son, crying, and formulating a game plan she helped us have a beautiful baby girl. Dr. Williams is the most compassionate, kind, caring soul that I’ve ever encountered in a healthcare professional. Me and my family love her.
-Hannah Pickett-
She helped me and performed my surgery after my ectopic pregnancy. She is incredible and I am so thankful for her.
-Emily Granberry-
Dr. Lindsay Osleber
Arkansas Women’s Center/Baptist Health Medical Center
I met Dr. Osleber after a traumatic birth experience with my first daughter. I had lost hope in having an uneventful birth, but Dr. Osleber listened to me, heard me, and reassured me that what I experienced was NOT a normal birth and that people have normal c-sections all the time. She helped me make a game plan and was with me every step of the way to reassure, comfort, laugh, and cry with. She is more than a doctor! She’s an amazing person and friend, and I recommend her to everyone looking for an OBGYN they can trust!
-Allie Simpson-
Dr. Osleber has been with me and my husband through my entire pregnancy journey. She was with us through our complicated first pregnancy where we had to deliver my son a month early. She kept me grounded and focused and helped me through a rough postpartum period filled with postpartum anxiety and depression. She saw us through three miscarriages-holding our hands, crying with us, and referring us to everyone she could to help us get an answer. After we conceived our daughter, she held me in her office as we both cried tears of joy for the miraculous pregnancy. We had to deliver my daughter almost 6 weeks early, and she spent 10 days in NICU. Dr. Osleber was with me every step of the way making sure that as a mother, I was okay. She’s the best provider I’ve ever had care for me, and she’s more than deserving of this nomination.
-Amanda Trickey-
Dr. Osleber is the most amazing human and doctor I have ever come across. She went above and beyond for my family and I. Especially when we had our stillborn son. She helped heal me physically and mentally. She truly is a saint. I am forever grateful for Dr. Osleber and all she has done for my family.
-Lauren Butler-
We lost our beautiful Owen unexpectedly at delivery in 2023 and Dr. Lindsay Osleber stood by our sides holding us upright as we navigated that loss and confusion. She was by my side every single day in the hospital after that loss. She continued to check in after we got home and continued to do so even after it got quiet. Fast forward, we were blessed with the news of pregnancy, but with it came the crippling fear. She made the pregnancy experience as enjoyable as she could. She listened to not only my needs as a grieving and hopeful mother, but also my husbands. She made sure she knew our triggers and our needs, she held our hands and reassured us every step of the way, & she made sure, and still does make sure, that our first born is never forgotten. She delivered our rainbow baby last June and we all took a deep breath together in that OR. I’ve never been more sure of the person I hand picked to be the first hands on our babies. We all love you, Dr. LO!
-Megan, Zach, Owen Lee, & Oaklee Gray Finney-
After a traumatic delivery with our first baby, Doctor Osleber assured me as I was once again on the operating table for a cesarean, that this was going to heal me. She was right. I couldn’t have done any of this without her, and am so thankful for the care she gives.
-Allison Uscocovich-
Dr. Osleber, who wasn’t even my primary physician, delivered my first child after a grueling labor and extensive time pushing. After making my way to postpartum I became dizzy, pale, and couldn’t hear anyone. It was quickly discovered that I was hemorrhaging. Dr. Osleber alongside some great nurses quite literally saved my life. In a moment of pure terror, she calmly reassured me that I was exactly where I needed to be and that she was going to take care of me. Even though she wasn’t my physician, she was that day and I will forever be grateful for the careful time, attention, and reassurance she gave me and my family. We love you so much!
-Lauren Noland -
Christina Melo & Jami Mays
RN / Washington Regional Medical center - Fayetteville
There are angels among us who made the sudden and unexpected loss of our daughter, Chloe, easier. We have the deepest gratitude for our entire hospital team who cared for our precious Chloe, but specifically our two nurses who will forever be part of our family -- Christina & Jami. These two women exemplified compassion, sensitivity, and unwavering support making an unimaginably difficult time more bearable. They showed us such tenderness, not only in caring for Chloe but also in caring for us as parents. The way they honored Chloe’s life and provided a space for us to grieve with dignity will stay with us forever. Jami & Christina cried with us, held us, lifted us up, and helped ease both our physical and emotional pain. They also captured our first memories of our daughter that we will forever cherish. We so appreciated their grace, kindness, and the warmth they brought during our darkest days. They are more than healthcare heroes; they are truly angels on Earth.
-Melissa Smith-
Dr. Brandie Martin
Conway Women’s Health Center
My baby was diagnosed with a terminal diagnosis at only 17 weeks. Dr. Martin held my hand, prayed for me, comforted me, and reminded me just how important and beautiful his life could be, although short. She delivered my baby with the utmost care and respect and was with us on the day that he entered into heaven. I couldn’t have survived such an unimaginable loss without her. She’s changed our lives forever.
-Makenzie Mooneyhan-
Dr Kala Slaton
Renaissance Women’s Center
In 2022 we lost our 17 week baby girl. Our world was shattered. Dr Slaton was there for us every minute. She explained everything as it happened and we never felt alone. She spent so much time with us and was truly mourning with us in our loss. She sent us our Mammies Poppy Plate as a way to remember our girl. Dr Slaton was a blessing to our family in a time we needed it the most.
-Jessi Baker-