After more than 40 years working together in the NICU at CoxHealth, Lu Ann Cowan and Valerie Stanton have developed an intuitive level of teamwork where words are often no longer required.

A Wordless Partnership

“When the two of us are working together at deliveries, we don’t have to actually ask each other to do anything,” Lu Ann says. “She looks, and I know what she needs, or I look, and she knows what I need.”

“It’s anticipatory, whether in the delivery room or in admissions,” Valerie says.

Lu Ann, an assistant nurse manager, and Valerie, a registered nurse and preceptor, recently retired from St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth after careers that spanned 44 and 46 years, respectively.

Valerie has helped train countless new nurses, while Lu Ann ensured the unit ran smoothly, whether that meant coordinating care or ensuring staff had time to eat during demanding shifts. They’ve also done transport for years, traveling to outlying hospitals to bring babies who need a higher level of care to Springfield, whether by ambulance or helicopter.

“The Best Job in the World”

During their careers, they’ve seen former NICU patients go on to become valedictorians. Some have even returned to work in the very same NICU where they received care years ago.

“To me, this has been the best job in the world, being able to take care of these babies during some struggles and then watch them grow up and go home while their parents gain confidence in taking care of them,” Valerie says. “Then they come back and see you, and it’s so rewarding.”

Decades of Dedication

A native of Alton, Ill., Lu Ann graduated from Alton High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Bradley University. Valerie is from Springfield, graduated from Glendale High School, and earned a nursing certification from the Burge School of Nursing.

Lu Ann’s career with CoxHealth began in May 1982, while Valerie started in June 1979. The two estimate they’ve cared for tens of thousands of NICU babies and their families over the course of their tenures.

A Career of Changing Technology

During that time, they’ve seen best practices and technology change the way they work and improve outcomes, including:

Repositioning techniques that recreate a womb-like environment in the NICU
Multiple ventilator modes for more personalized breathing support
PICC lines for specialized IV care
Surfactant therapy to help lung function

The two also say they’re optimistic about the future of NICU care with the St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth joint venture.

“I think it’s going to be great for the community. It keeps families together,” Valerie says.

A Lasting Legacy

Lu Ann and Valerie’s contributions to the NICU were immeasurable, says their manager, Kristen Hall.

“Lu Ann and Valerie have been the heart of our NICU and provided exceptional care, compassion, and expertise to countless babies and families,” says Kristen, nurse manager of St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth Neonatal ICU. “Their dedication has helped shape the culture of our unit, mentoring generations of nurses and setting a standard of excellence that will continue long after their retirement.”

What's Next

Looking ahead to retirement, Valerie has planned a trip to Alaska, while Lu Ann is headed to Colorado in the fall — Garden of the Gods, in particular. Both say they’ll enjoy having more time with their families.

Valerie and Lu Ann say they’ll look back fondly at their time serving families in the NICU.

“It is indeed the best job in the world,” Lu Ann says. “I realized pretty quickly that this was what I wanted to do. You get to make an impact with families and watch these babies develop, which is an incredible experience.”

Congratulations and thank you, Lu Ann and Valerie! We’ll miss you!

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