Why I Came, Why I Stayed: Methodist staff’s passion is unmatched, says certified nurse midwife Desiree Hericks

In “Why I Came, Why I Stayed,” you’ll get to know people who are making a difference every day at Methodist and how they contribute to providing The Meaning of Care.

Desiree Hericks, MSN, CNM, RNC-OB, C-EFM
Certified Nurse Midwife
Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and Methodist Jennie Edmundson Medical Plaza

Tell us more about yourself.

I worked in the Army as a labor and delivery nurse for four years after college. I then started at Methodist as a registered nurse (RN) and later began grad school while continuing to work at Methodist Women's Hospital as a labor and delivery nurse. I took a job as a new midwife at a private practice in town, where I worked for four years. When the opportunity came up to return to Methodist, I jumped at it. I’ve now been working at Jennie Edmundson for almost five years as a certified nurse midwife. 

I have a daughter who turns 5 in April and a close family in the area. I love spending time with my family, and we love traveling and showing our daughter so many fun areas of the world. 

Why Methodist? What attracted you to the organization?

When I transitioned out of the Army, I was looking for a labor and delivery nursing opportunity that offered the highest level of care. It didn’t take long to realize that Methodist was going to meet my needs in providing evidence-based care, pushing the limits of my knowledge and offering an environment that strives to provide safe, quality health care. I also was excited to help open the new Methodist Women's Hospital. I spent seven years as an RN, and when I left Methodist Health System after becoming a midwife, I was devastated to be moving on. 

When I had opportunity to come back, I was elated. I was surrounded by a health care team that trusted me to be the best provider I could be and gave me all the resources I needed to accomplish my job at a high level. While an RN at Methodist, I had curated relationships with the high-risk pregnancy team. Together, we created a team that provided the best care to patients. I love caring for women, and being surrounded by people who have the same passion makes it easy to come to work every day.

What is it about Methodist that keeps you coming back?

We all have the same desire to provide quality health care to patients. I love being part of this team. I also love the relationships I’m able to build with my coworkers because we have the same desire to empower women and their families. We have been given this opportunity to step into people's lives during one of the most life-changing events they will experience. We’re here to serve as their advisers, their advocates and someone to hold their hand and empower them to make decisions about their own health care. 

Do you have any favorite Methodist memories?

It’s hard to narrow down favorite memories because I get to be present when babies enter the world. My favorite moments include watching a mother overcome something she didn’t think was possible, watching new dads cry tears of happiness, listening to a grandmother’s shouts of joy and witnessing an older sibling fall in love with the newest member of their family. 

Tell us about a mentor or colleague at Methodist who made a difference for you.

I don’t think it’s just one member of my team. The fact of the matter is they respect my role, help teach me, help me grow, trust my instincts more than I do and always value who I am as a person and provider. We work as a team, and that helps us provide the highest level of care, which is the most important goal for us. 

What should people know about Methodist?

We’re constantly striving to grow, develop and change to meet the expectation of providing the highest level of care.