#IamMGH – Meet Leigh Baetz-Craft

#IamMGH tells the stories of our people. Meet Leigh Baetz-Craft, Advanced Practice Clinician for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Services at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH). 

“The best part about working in healthcare is making a difference in a person’s life. We have the chance to do that every day when working in Maternal Newborn and Child Health Services (MNC).  

I am trained as an advanced practice nurse. Typically in this area of nursing I would work to advance professional practice through education and training, usually working behind the scenes with my fellow staff and clinicians. However, in my current role, I also have the privilege of working directly with clients who have a high-risk pregnancy, whether for physical or psychosocial reasons, and supporting them through their pregnancy and postpartum journey. The direct contact with clients and their families is one of the main reasons why I love my role.  

My responsibilities vary depending on the individual needs of these clients. In some cases, I work simultaneously with my clients and their entire healthcare team to create a comprehensive care plan for their pregnancy and delivery. In other cases, I take on more of a primary role such as being present with them in the operating room as they undergo a C-section. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I can also take on a background support role and simply ensure my clients meet all of their required healthcare professionals and appointments and that they have the additional support they need.  

No matter what I am doing, I always remind myself that a person never forgets their birth experience and that I am a part of that. I feel privileged to have worked with so many people over the last 38 years of my career and the last six years at MGH. Having parents name their children after me has definitely been a career highlight! There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you are making a positive impact on someone’s life, and that can happen in so many small ways.  

Although I am retiring this month, I am really looking forward to coming back to MGH as a volunteer in our volunteer gift shop, The General Store, and as a baby cuddler in the MNC. Looking back on my time here, I am very grateful for everything I have learned and experienced as both a clinician and a leader. If I had to share a piece of advice with anyone starting out their career in nursing or in leadership, I would say always try your best to be honest and authentic, to treat others the way you want to be treated and to never forget the value and power of collaboration.”