Labor and Delivery Nurse Betsy Hankins Commemorates New Life Through Art
January 8, 2025
For over two decades, Betsy Hankins, a labor and delivery nurse at Saint Mary’s, has lovingly created an annual artwork that records the names of every baby born at Saint Mary’s each year. This year, she proudly unveils her 25th commemorative board.
Betsy has been a valued member of the Saint Mary’s family since 1996, bringing compassion and creativity to her role. Her journey with this cherished tradition began in 2000, during a Christmas door decorating contest.
“I cut out a Christmas tree from foam, and we made foam ornaments featuring all the babies born that year,” Betsy recalled. “We even added small foam packages under the tree. It won first place!”
That contest sparked an idea, and in 2001, she started creating a commemorative tree with baby names each year. “The next year, I began painting canvases, and over the years, I’ve had a lot of help from fellow employees,” she said.
Each artwork Betsy creates becomes a cherished keepsake that remains displayed in the halls of our Women and Children’s Services Unit.
“Seeing the names of these little ones come to life through Betsy’s art is truly inspiring,” said Casey Willis, Saint Mary’s CEO. “Her work reminds us of the significant role our hospital plays in bringing new life into the community and the shared joy it creates.”
Betsy’s dedication is fueled by creativity and inspiration from those around her. “Motivation comes from all over—suggestions from others, Pinterest and sometimes something I see throughout the year,” she said. “I’ve always loved doing crafts. Back in college, I’d count down the days until graduation and kept a running list of all the projects I wanted to start.”
Her connection to Saint Mary’s has only deepened over the years, and her work has become a beloved part of the hospital’s culture, celebrated by staff and families alike.
“The joy I see in the eyes of parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even family friends when they spot a baby’s name—it’s something I’ll treasure forever,” Betsy shared. “It’s my way of giving back to a community that has given me so much.”