Ascension maternity nurse retires after 43 years

Ascension St. Vincent’s nurse Sabrina Burghart is retiring after over 43 years of service to our hospital, leaving behind a career defined by transformation in maternal care and passion for mentoring the next generation of clinical staff.

Sabrina, a certified labor and delivery nurse and clinical lactation consultant, spent 37 of her 45 years specializing in maternal-newborn care. She recently received the prestigious Carroll Wilder Pittman Award in recognition of her legacy. 

The honor was particularly meaningful for Sabrina, who discovered she had graduated from nursing school in the exact same class of 1981 as the award's namesake, Carol Wilder Pittman. At the recent recognition ceremony, Burghart surprised Pittman with a preserved photograph of their graduating class, identifying them both from their graduation day on April 24, 1981.

"To be recognized for work that comes from the heart is incredibly meaningful to me," Sabrina said. "Knowing that my coworkers—whom I work alongside, collaborate with, challenge and support—took the time to put my name forward is humbling, and I’m truly honored".

Over her four-decade tenure, most of which she spent at Ascension St. Vincent’s, Sabrina witnessed and helped lead an important shift in how mothers give birth. When she entered the field in 1981, maternal care followed a highly medicalized, provider-driven model where laboring patients were largely restricted to hospital beds and routine clinical care.

Today the care has evolved into a family-centered, evidence-based approach that focuses on patient empowerment and clinical safety. Ascension St. Vincent's now integrates practices such as freedom of movement, spinning babies techniques, birthing balls, skin-to-skin contact and extensive breastfeeding advocacy.

"Birth has become more empowering and less restrictive," shared Sabrina. "Our role has expanded from task-based care to education, advocacy and coaching. I believe as a community, we have adapted to meet families where they are emotionally, culturally, medically and spiritually".

Sabrina began her journey at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside. Walking through the hallways for her interview, she was struck by the warmth of the environment.

"The thing that impacted me the most is each one of them spoke to me or smiled at me," Sabrina recalled. "I remember thinking to myself, 'This is the place that I'm supposed to serve at.' And 43 years later, Ascension has truly been my home away from home.”

Sabrina worked at the Riverside location for 33 years before transitioning to her hometown Clay County hospital 10 years ago to help bring specialized, localized healthcare to the rapidly growing community. Throughout her time there, she became an integral part of the local fabric, frequently caring for the friends of her own children during some of their most vulnerable and joyful moments.

In addition to direct patient care, Sabrina dedicated much of her career to mentoring the next generation of medical professionals, serving as a preceptor to countless new nurses. Her advice to those entering the field reflects her collaborative and humble philosophy.

"You survive by asking for help," said Sabrina. "And you thrive by letting yourself grow into the nurse that you're becoming, not who you think you are on day one. Stay curious and stay connected. Remember that questions are a sign of safety, not weakness. Nursing is a team sport and no one thrives alone.”

As she steps into retirement, Burghart says she looks forward to spontaneous family visits, traveling without the need for paid-time-off approval and engaging in "unhurried conversations". However, her separation from the newborn nursery may not be permanent; she plans to return to the hospital as a volunteer to hold babies.

"I stayed connected to the meaning of the work—the humanity, the new beginnings," Sabrina said. "Every newborn cry, every tiny hand that gripped my finger and every first breath—those memories will never get old, and they will refill my cup for the rest of my life.

Learn more about the services, care team and birthing experience at the Ascension St. Vincent's Clay County Family Birth Place.