A shared calling between sisters

For Kimberly Riggins, CNM, and Rachel O'Connor, NP, helping others is more than a job. It’s a family tradition built on generations of caregivers, educators and healthcare workers.

Both looked up to their Aunt Jill, who worked in several healthcare roles as a nurse before she passed away. Kimberly was also inspired by her big sister, Rachel, and their grandmother, who she spent time with as a child each morning before school.

“Her mom had 13 children, and she spent a lot of time helping her mom, helping with the other children and just being a caretaker in her family,” says Kimberly. “Her mom would even send her into people's homes after they had children to help them recover, and so that was really what inspired me to go into the obstetric world.”

While their journeys to where they are today differed, they both ended up exactly where they were meant to be.

Rachel started her career as a nurse tech at the legacy Bloomington hospital before becoming a nurse intern in the hospital’s obstetric unit. She later worked in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in another state before returning to Bloomington where she found a role in cardiology.

Kimberly began working in the cafeteria at the former hospital before attending nursing school. She balanced school with raising children, caring for her family and managing responsibilities at home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she took the next step and completed her midwife training.

“I would work typically five to six shifts in a row at the old hospital,” says Kimberly. “Then, I would load up my camper, drive to Northern Indiana and stay there for my clinical training.”

Kimberly became one of the first midwives to join the Bloomington Midwife program.

Although they practice in different specialties, the sisters still rely on each other for support and advice.

“Sometimes we just text and we're like, ‘Hey, it was a rough day,’ and we know how each other feels during those situations,” Kimberly says.

The sisters' careers have also crossed paths in meaningful ways over the years. Two major crossings were when Kimberly was there for the births of both of Rachel's children, clocking out to attend the delivery and clocking back in to be her nurse.

Their commitment to helping others also extends to education. Both sisters have taught nursing students at Indiana University, following in the footsteps of their older sister, who works in education.

Of course, being a family of healthcare workers also leads to some jokes.

“At Fourth of July or Thanksgiving, it's like, ‘no chopping fingers off because no one wants to show up to the emergency room today,’” Rachel says.

As Sisters Day approaches on Sunday, Aug. 2, Kimberly and Rachel show how some of the strongest partnerships begin at home. Through long shifts, challenging days and life's biggest moments, they are committed to caring for their community and for each other.