Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work with your mother? Across our health system, we have many daughters and sons who do just that.
For Mother’s Day we’ve gathered some of their stories.
Families Across Our Health System
Francis Lopez-Kestenholz and Trinity Lopez
Francis and Trinity are a mother-daughter duo working together on our talent acquisition team, also known as “Team Awesome.” Francis answered our questions about working with her daughter.
Q: Who started working here first?
I was here first. I had been working here for about seven months when Trinity started. FMOLHS has amazing core values, and our team is wonderful; I couldn’t help but share it.
Q: How long have you two worked together?
This is actually the second job we have worked at together. We worked for a doctor for about a year together before COVID-19. We have been with FMOLHS together for about six months now.
Q: Do you ever carpool together?
Yes, when going into the office or orientation. Trinity is the second of my five children, and I love having the one-on-one time with her.
Q: What is it like working with your daughter?
It is really amazing. I love seeing her growing and accomplishing new things. As a mother to get to watch your child grow in a career, from the inside, is just a little something extra special.
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
As a mom, I know I have to remember not to hover. To let her do her job the way that is right for her. So, I guess my advice would be to watch them grow from a distance and be there when they need you but don’t offer too much “constructive criticism.“
Cathy Henderson and Adam Henderson
Adam and Cathy, are a mother-son duo with different roles within our health system. Adam works for marketing and communications, while Cathy is a manager for the LSU Health Internal Medicine Clinic. Adam and Cathy answered our questions about working together.
Q: Who started working here first?
Adam: Mom joined the health system in April 2013 and just celebrated her 10-year anniversary.
Q: How long have you two worked together?
Adam: A little over a year, since March 2022.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
Adam: Yes, usually on Tuesdays.
Q: If so, where do you go?
Adam: It depends! We usually only have 30 minutes for lunch, so the tradeoff is she’ll pay while I pick it up. Typically, it’s Serops.
Q: Do you ever carpool together?
Adam: There was a month I lived at home between leases, and we rode together during that time.
Q: Adam, what is it like working with your mother?
FMOLHS is a big system, but a surprising number of people I’ve crossed paths with know her in some capacity, especially other nurses and providers outside of her clinic. I always feel like everybody I know is about four seconds away from making the connection that I’m her son. But it’s nice having a lunch buddy and someone in your life who you can talk to about work and who understands exactly what you’re talking about.
Q: Cathy, what is it like working with your son?
I enjoy being able to work with Adam on initiatives that focus on FMOLHS’s commitment to truly listening to our patient’s concerns and needs. One example is the SDOH screening that is performed in our clinics.
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
Adam: Try to meet for lunch when possible.
Donna Wilson and LeeAnn Prisk
While Donna and LeeAnn work in different states, they still find ways to see each other and work together. Donna works in our education department as a Nursing Professional Development Generalist at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, and LeeAnn is our Director of Professional Practice and Research in the nursing administration department at St. Dominic’s. They answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: Who started working here first?
LeeAnn: Mom is going to tell you that it was her because she worked at the hospital prior to it becoming Our Lady of the Angels, but officially, it was really me who worked for the health system first.
Q: How long have you two worked together?
LeeAnn: A little over three years. Actually, we worked together at Our Lady of the Angels for about a year and a half .
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
LeeAnn: Sometimes. Working in different ministries doesn’t allow this to happen often but we do enjoy lunch together via Teams when our schedules allow.
Q: LeeAnn, what is it like working with your mother?
It’s nice to be able to do all of the things that she mentioned but it also means I have some big shoes to fill!
Q: Donna, what is it like working with your daughter?
It’s really great working with her since it allows us to see each other more, even if it is via Teams. It’s also nice to have a daughter that’s a nurse to be able to brainstorm, problem-solve with one another, and learn differences in workflows which may help one another.
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
We like to keep very strict lines between work and family to make sure we work as professionals. Although we’re a mother-daughter duo, we both play key roles on each of our teams here at work and can’t be “sassy” or “bossy” to one another (haha).
Karen Parker, Kimberly Ball and Christi Parker
Karen, vice president of IS/Enterprise Business Operations at FMOLHS, has worked here since 1984. Her daughters, Kimberly and Christi, followed in her footsteps and joined our ministry in 2008 and 2014, respectively. Christi works as an Epic programmer for FMOLHS and Kimberly works at Our Lady of the Lake Health as a business operations analyst in Finance. They answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: How long have you worked together?
Kimberly: We have all been at FMOLHS together for the last nine years.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
Kimberly: We have always worked at different campuses, so we’ve never had lunch together.
Q: Kimberly and Christi, what is it like working with your mother?
From an early age, we witnessed our mom’s dedication and commitment to FMOLHS firsthand. When presented with an opportunity to work for the same company, we knew it would be a great fit for us too. Also, her ‘mom advice’ is next level since she has an insider’s perspective in the organization.
Q: Karen, what is it like working with your daughters?
We do not cross paths often at work, but when we do it is exciting to see how my daughters work. I am very proud when I get comments from team members that I do work with about how “wonderful my daughter is”. As I end my career here at FMOLHS in retirement, I am comforted to know that my daughters will be able to learn from the sisters and carry on the mission of our ministries that has guided me in my work for so many years.
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
Leave work problems at work ????.
Our Lady of the Lake Health Families
Cyndi Knox and Chloe Van Valkenburg
Cyndi and Chloe are a mother-daughter duo working at Our Lady of the Lake Health. Cyndi is our Director of Clinical Research for oncology, and Chloe works as a nurse tech on the pediatric oncology floor at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. Cyndi and Chloe answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: Who started working here first?
I worked for Our Lady of the Lake Health from 1997-2006 and then again starting October 2021. Chloe started working at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in June 2022, so we have worked together for almost a year.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
Cyndi: Yes, when possible.
Q: If so, where do you go?
Cyndi: I will meet Chloe in the cafeteria/dining area on the first floor at the Lake Children’s Hospital. Usually, I will pick up lunch and bring to the dining area there.
Q: Do you carpool?
Cyndi: No, due to the difference in our work schedules this is not possible.
Q: Cyndi, what is it like working with your daughter?
Chloe is currently in nursing school at Southeastern University. She works PRN as a nurse tech on the pediatric cancer floor at the Children’s Hospital. I am so proud of Chloe and the difference she makes working with pediatric cancer patients. She has a desire to ensure that the patients she cares for receive the most compassionate care possible.
Susan Waguespack and Sydney Sing
Susan and Sydney work at Our Lady of the Lake Health. Susan is part of the regulatory management team and Sydney works in administration. They have worked together at our health system for more than five years and specifically at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center for four years. Susan and Sydney answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: Who started working here first?
I began working in 1987 at what is now known as Our Lady of the Lake Ascension. There are still a few colleagues here that remember me being pregnant with Sydney and several that remember her as a small child when she would accompany me to hospital events.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
We try to have lunch together whenever our schedules permit. We enjoy meeting and sitting in the courtyard especially when the weather is nice.
Q: Do you ever carpool together?
No, because I tend to come in earlier and Sydney has to drop her son off at daycare first. We do talk on the phone most mornings when driving in.
Q: Sydney, what is it like working with your mother?
It’s neat and fun! We get people all the time that catch us together and have no idea that we’re related. People also tell me that I look exactly like her when she first started working here.
Q: Susan, what is it like working with your daughter?
I really enjoy that we work for the same hospital. We do see each other occasionally during the week. I’ve been very fortunate to spend my entire career at one organization and have had so many opportunities for growth within my career and education/training. I have worked with amazing team members and mentors that I still keep in touch with and consider great friends. Now I continue to work with a great team and even at 35 years continue to learn and experience new things as healthcare is ever-changing and evolving. There have been a lot of perks and benefits from working at this organization, and I’m hopeful that Sydney may get to experience and benefit from the same.
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
Keep work and family life separate. Don’t bring stresses of the workday home with you.
Chemeca Selders and Deashley
Chemeca and Deashley are both clinical services representatives at Our Lady of the Lake Health. In 2014, Chemeca joined the organization and now works in the emergency mental behavioral health/cope team. Deashley joined the organization in 2021. They answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
Chemeca: Sometimes when I pick up on her rotation.
Q: If so, where do you go?
Chemeca: Cafe or Subway
Q: Deashley, what is it like working with your mother?
It’s exciting because we no longer live together so I’m able to see her more.
Q: Chemeca, what is it like working with your child?
It’s great! Like having a best friend to chat with about work all the time. Lol
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
Remain open minded while engaging with family members (on the job). By remaining open minded, the family’s bond is tightened, allowing A closer bond while prompting an opportunity for growth within the profession.
Our Lady of Lourdes Health Families
Drusilla Landry, Catherine Woods and Destiny Landry
Drusilla, Catherine and Destiny work at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. Drusilla is an LPN in the gastro lab, and she started working at the hospital 35 years ago. Her daughters Catherine and Destiny later joined her at the hospital. Catherine has been the dietary manager for 26 years and Destiny started working in the ER for two years. They answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Although their different work schedules don’t allow them to commute together, they do enjoy lunch together when their schedules allow, and they’ll often eat together in the cafeteria.
Q: Catherine and Destiny, what is it like working with your mother?
Catherine: It is a pleasure and an honor to be able to work at the same location with my family for so many years. It has also strengthened our relationship as a whole. It has also been an experience because I always want to make sure that I uphold the legacy that my mom started at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center which means upholding the utmost respect for others and building/maintaining relationships with others. I think I have done a great job thus far. When my mom and I are together I often tell her when people ask about our relationship tell them I am her sister – for the most part people think that is true but then we tell them the real deal and people are stunned that we are mother and daughter. So overall I would say it is a great experience.
Destiny: Sometimes it can be some pressure because I know the legacy that my mom and my sister uphold with the organization and sometimes stressful because of the weight their names carry with the organization. I want to try and make them proud of me and not mess up their reputations.
Q: Drusilla, what is it like working with your children?
Drusilla: It is a blessing and a joy to be able to work with my children. I enjoy seeing their beautiful faces while at work.
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
Drusilla: Just enjoy the experience that God has provided to you and make memories.
Catherine: Family is everything but knowing how to keep family relationships and work relationships separate from the two. Do not let the two relationships clash with each other. Always keep it professional/work related in the workplace. Don’t take the stress of work home with you, it is okay to vent but don’t let it dictate your relationships with family.
Destiny: If you work with family keep the legacy going.
Becky Vincent and Christopher Vincent
Becky, an employee health RN, and Christopher, an NP in the emergency department, work together at Our Lady of Lourdes Health. Christopher worked for Lourdes first, and they have worked together for more than six years. They answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: Do you ever carpool together?
Becky: No
Christopher: No but I wish!
Q: Christopher, what is it like working with your mother?
Great because I can always call her and aggravate her.
Q: Becky, what is it like working with your son?
Love to see him during the week. Such a treat.
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
Becky: Respect each other’s space and responsibilities.
Christopher: Enjoy it because it is awesome!
Our Lady of the Angels Health Families
Elaine Lagarde and Antonio Lagarde
Antonio, a housekeeping supervisor, and Elaine, a Labor & Delivery housekeeper, have worked together for almost seven years at the Our Lady of the Angels Hospital. They answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: Who started working here first?
Antonio: My mom has been working at the facility for nearly 20 years.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
Elaine: No, we work different shifts.
Q: Antonio, what is it like working with your mother?
It’s pretty fun. The best part is seeing her make people laugh.
Q: Elaine, what is it like working with your son?
It’s been a joy. It really has. When I’m not here, I know he’s over here with family because this is my second home. I don’t ever have to worry. Somebody over here is always looking out for him. He has lots of other moms and dads here. I always have people tell me they should’ve known he was mine. He’s always so helpful, and he has a good positive attitude. That makes me proud.
Angie Stewart and Bailey Stewart
Angie works in the Patient Service Center, and Bailey is an LPN in the medicine unit. Angie started working at the facility in February 2015, while Bailey began working there in January 2023, shortly after Angie transitioned from working in the emergency room. Angie answered our questions about working with her daughter.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
No, sadly we don’t. I do like to bring her lunch or supper (when she works the night shift) and bring her snacks when she needs some food! It gives me a minute to say hey and see her, even if that is only for a moment to drop her off food.
Q: What is it like working with your daughter?
The amount of pride and excitement I have for Bailey is not able to be measured, it is off any chart! I am so proud of her and all she has accomplished. I know how much time she spent studying, practicing and praying to finish. To know it paid off, it was worth all the hard times to get to where she is today.
I love that we both work for Our Lady of the Angels Hospital and both share love and pride in our hospital. I love that both of us make a difference in people’s lives each and every day. It makes me smile when she calls for hospital follow –ups. For us that is our few minutes together each shift to say hey and it makes my mama heart so happy!
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
Be a listener, offer advice when asked, be supportive and know that we are all working together for the best for our patients, have each other’s back always! Remember to pray for not only your child but all the others who work with her because they become your family too! My favorite expression is “We sink and swim together, but we will do it together!”
Emma Jean Fortenberry and Katrina Carney
Emma Jean and Katrina work in different units at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital. Emma Jean is a charge nurse in the emergency room, and Katrina works as an LPN on the medicine unit. Emma Jean answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: Who started working here first?
I started working at the facility first, and Katrina joined the team later.
Q: How long have you two worked together?
We’ve been working together for 13 years.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
No, unfortunately, we work different shifts now. She’s on nights in the medicine unit, and I’m on days in the ER.
Q: Overall what is it like working with your daughter?
I love knowing she does a great job taking care of her patients and helping our fellow coworkers. When we need to decompress, it’s nice to know that we fully understand what each other is feeling. And it’s such a pleasure to be able to work with Katrina on those rare occasions when our shifts overlap.
St. Francis Health Families
Lisa Moore and Paige Moore
Lisa and her daughter Paige are both RNs who work in adult critical care units at St. Francis Medical Center. Lisa has worked here for 25 years, and Paige started in 2019. They have worked together for four years and often have shifts scheduled in the same units, where they work side by side. They answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
We usually go to eat at local restaurants before our shifts.
Q: If so, where do you go?
Most of the time we eat Mexican food.
Q: Do you ever carpool together?
We do carpool on the nights we both are scheduled to work.
Q: Paige, what is it like working with your mother?
I like to work with my mother and it’s comforting to know I can come to her for guidance and support during my shifts when needed.
Q: Lisa, what is it like working with your daughter?
It’s nice to be able to be a mentor for my daughter and see how she grows in the profession. We have a great relationship and working together gives us more time together. A great perk is if one of us needs off the other can cover our shift even if it’s just a few hours.
Leigh Storey and Jessica Chappell
Leigh and Jessica work together at St. Francis Medical Center, with Leigh being our senior director of patient care services and Jessica working as a data operations representative. Leigh began her career at St. Francis Medical Center as a nurse tech in 1992, and the mother-daughter duo has been working at St. Francis for almost 20 years. They answered our questions about what it’s like to work together.
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
Leigh: Yes, we try to at least a couple of times a week when our busy schedules permit.
Jessica: 11 o’clock sharp unless one of us has a meeting
Q: If so, where do you go?
Leigh: We normally eat in the café together.
Jessica: Cafe
Q: Do you ever carpool together?
Leigh: Unfortunately, not able to carpool, we are on two totally different schedules.
Jessica: I’m just waking up as she’s walking into the hospital so no that’s not happening.
Q: Jessica, what is it like working with your mother?
It’s great. The best part is if I’m having a bad day I can go to her office and talk with her for a few minutes then get back to work. Mommas always make everything better! It’s funny when we are in a meeting together or I see her in the hall, I ALWAYS say momma first then correct myself (she answers to anything).
Q: Leigh, what is it like working with your daughter?
Although we are in different departments, it’s very exciting to see your child grow personally and professionally. She has the same passion and attention to detail that I have. We are very fortunate to work in the same organization where family and caring for others is the primary focus.
Q: Any advice for other families out there who work together?
Leigh: When at work, one must remain objective, the personal relationship will always be there, but at work we are on a professional level, and must always maintain a high degree of objectivity.
St. Dominic’s Families
Jessica McMillan and Destiny Ables
Jessica and her daughter, Destiny, are both nursing assistants at St. Dominic Hospital. They work in different units, and Jessica started working at the hospital first. Jessica answered our questions about what it’s like to work with her daughter.
Q: How long have you two worked together?
I helped her with getting the job here. We have been working together almost for a year!
Q: Do you eat lunch together?
We sometimes eat lunch together depending on what time it is. We work different shifts.
Q: What is it like working with your daughter?
I love working with my daughter. What makes her happy makes me happy!! We eat whatever she brings that day, or we eat downstairs! It’s an honor to work with my child!!
