Kansas City – StoryCorps

‘It’s Such A Gift Of A Job’: Nurses Reflect On Their Work In The Intensive Care Unit

Kristin Sollars and Marci Ebberts are nurses at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. They worked side by side in the intensive care unit for years and grew so close they’ve come to call themselves “work wives.”

Kristin and Marci sat down at StoryCorps to reflect on how their work is more than just a job. 

Top Photo: Kristin Sollars and Marci Ebbers at their StoryCorps interview in Orlando, FL on May 21, 2019. By Emilyn Sosa for StoryCorps.

This interview was recorded in partnership with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Originally aired August 30, 2019, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Walking in a Mother’s Legacy

Sada Jackson lost her mother, Ileana Watson, to breast cancer in 2016. Just after saying goodbye to her own mother, Sada became a mother herself.

Years later, Sada was still longing for all the moments they’d never get to share — and thinking about all the questions she never got to ask. So she sat down at StoryCorps in Kansas City, Missouri with her mom’s best friend, Angela Morehead-Mugita, to get to know her mom a little better.

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Top photo: Sada Jackson (right) at StoryCorps in Kansas City, MO in 2018 with her late-mother’s best friend, Angela Morehead-Mugita. By Savannah Winchester for StoryCorps.
Middle photo: Sada Jackson with her mother, Ilena Watson, in October 2014. Courtesy of Sada Jackson.
Bottom photo: Sada Jackson with her son, Kendrix, in November 2018. By Bria Siglar. 

Originally aired May 10, 2019, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Peter Obetz and Jeff Jarrett

In 2004, Peter Obetz (left) was diagnosed with esophageal cancer after a tumor was discovered on his esophagus wall. His doctors told him surgery carried a 10 percent risk of death.

Following the surgery Peter’s marriage changed, his job changed, and where he lives changed—he believes for the better. At StoryCorps, he talks with his best friend, Jeff Jarrett (right), about their friendship and those changes.

Peter has been cancer-free since 2009.

Originally aired May 31, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Reverend Eric Williams and Jannette Berkley-Patton

In 1991, Reverend Eric Williams was a new pastor at the Calvary Temple Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri.

At StoryCorps, he told his colleague, Jannette Berkley-Patton about his first experience dealing with AIDS in his ministry.

Originally aired November 30, 2012 on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Dennis and Buelah Apple

In 1991, Dennis and Buelah Apple lost their 18-year-old son Denny to complications resulting from mononucleosis.

Nearly twenty years later, they sat down together at StoryCorps to remember him and talk about what their lives have been like since his death.

Bud Norton and Tim Locher

Bud Norton tells his nephew Tim Locher about his childhood adventures growing up in Kansas.

Mary Warm and David Warm

Mary Warm, who has Down syndrome, talks with her father, David, about how he felt when she was born. David explains that he was excited to have another little girl, but worried about how to raise her. “We just needed to raise you with love and teach you like we did your big sister, and everything would turn out all right.”

Originally aired December 8, 2006, on NPR’s Morning Edition.