A Life-Changing Experience

Jaxon Armendariz was born 11 weeks premature and suffering from various health problems. There were issues with his adrenal system, pituitary gland, blood platelets and lungs. After four months in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU), Jaxon's parents, Laura and Bryan Armendariz, were finally able to bring him home. Because of his ongoing and extensive medical needs, the couple was referred to home health services, where Tara Tiernan (BSN 06-Nursing) was assigned to be his nurse. This is how Tara first met Jaxon and his family. After assisting the family with his medical issues in his infancy, Jaxon and Tara didn’t see each other much for several years. When he started kindergarten, they reconnected. Jaxon started school in the Chapman School District, where Tara works as a school nurse. Because Jaxon still struggled with a range of health issues, they saw each other frequently, and the connection that started in his infancy grew even stronger. “He just loves her,” says mom Laura about the bond between Jaxon and Tara. As Jaxon grew up, his medical issues persisted. His family tried to provide him with every aspect of a normal life, but his health limited what was possible for him. “He would get tired so quickly. He would only be able to play with his siblings for five minutes, and then he’d be done,” explains Laura. “He would crash on the couch and sleep or just not feel good.” He would eventually be diagnosed with the newly identified MIRAGE syndrome. The syndrome affects many aspects of Jaxon’s health, but one of the most serious and debilitating issues has been kidney disease. In late 2020, when he was 10 years old, doctors told the Armendariz family that Jaxon needed a kidney transplant. He had to be put on dialysis. It’s a restrictive and difficult treatment for anyone, but especially for a child. Jaxon couldn’t swim or shower; he couldn’t participate in physical play with other kids. He couldn’t even drink more than 16 ounces of water a day. Laura and Bryan turned to social media to let friends and family know Jaxon needed a kidney. They shared information about how to explore becoming a living donor. When Tara saw the post, she reached out to Laura to ask if she and Jaxon had the same blood type. They did. Tara contacted the living donor network and asked to be evaluated as a potential donor. “I didn’t even hesitate. I just felt like it was something I wanted to do. I have two young children, and if it were my kids, I would hope somebody would do that for them.” After a thorough evaluation process, the answer came back. They were a match. On July 26, 2021, Tara and Jaxon went into surgery to transplant Tara’s kidney. It was a day that transformed Jaxon’s life immeasurably. Laura says it is amazing to see him be able to finally be a kid. “Hearing him laughing and enjoying his siblings–even when he’s sassing off to them – he’s being a big brother. They love it. They have their sibling back.” Tara says she might be to blame for the sass part. “We joke that a little bit of my sass maybe went with my kidney to him.” Extra sassiness aside, it is a gift the Armendariz family is eternally grateful to Tara for making. Says Laura, “I think it is the most selfless act you can do for someone because there’s no way we could ever repay it.” The experience has made the two families very close. “It was just something I wanted to do,” says Tara. “I hope by doing something like this that other people see you can be a living donor.” For Jaxon and all the kids like him who have had a transplant, the gratitude they experience is heartwrenchingly straightforward. Explains Laura, “It’s such a gift, and they’re so grateful. That’s the thing. They love life, and they are grateful for the chance to live.”

“I didn’t even hesitate. I just felt like it was something I wanted to do. I have two young children, and if it was my kids, I would hope somebody would do that for them. I hope by doing something like this that other people see you can be a living donor.”

February 4, 1922

Emporia Gazette Miss Cora A. Miller, superintendent of the new Lyon County Hospital, will begin at once enrolling prospective students for the training school for nurses to be offered at the hospital. The applicants should be at least 18 years old… should have had one year of high school or its equivalent–high school graduates preferred…should be of good moral character and of good physical and mental health. Those are state requirements. The training school will train young women thoroughly in every department. Young women of experience and competence, graduates of hospitals of high standing will be selected supervisors of departments. The course training will cover at least two years and six months. Six weeks’ vacation may be included in this time. The Lyon County Hospital is one of the best-equipped institutions in Kansas…Many departments of nursing, welfare and hospital positions are calling for competent nurses at attractive salaries. One of the most appalling needs of this country is for nurses. From Christian, humanitarian or philanthropic viewpoints, a broad field is before us. May this training center give to the state and to the world young women nurses of whom Emporia will be proud.

March 1, 1922

The first class of five students was admitted to the Newman Memorial County Hospital Training School for Nurses. All those who applied were admitted. The school was accredited by the Kansas Board for Examination and Registration of Nurses in March 1922.

March 4, 1922

Newman Memorial County Hospital opened to the public.

Celebrating 100 Years of Nursing

First year, 1922

Twenty-seven student nurses were admitted to the school: 10 of the 27 students graduated. Loss of students usually averaged about 50%. According to Miss Cora Miller, “… this training school was misused for a boarding school to tide over the period from high school graduation to the day of marriage.” The school had a faculty of five nurses. All hospital supervisors were expected to be “teaching supervisors.” Modern Methods in Nursing was the only nursing “technic” book available.

Student uniforms were selected by Mrs. William Allen White. The color of tan was chosen since it blended with the walls of the hospital. Female students lived on the first floor of the hospital. Male students occupied two basement rooms.

An affiliation with the College of Emporia was established to provide a combined "College Nurses" course, providing students with a degree at the end of a five-year period of study and completion of the nurses course.

June 4, 1924

First Graduation (two students) David R. Davis was the first student to graduate from the training school. He later graduated from medical school and practiced medicine in Emporia. The other graduate was Lila L. Loveless. The two students graduated early because they already had college courses (Davis) or had transferred from another nursing program.

1971

Cora Miller Hall was completed. Funds for the new building were raised through the sale of Lyon County bonds, a Federal Housing and Urban Development allocation and a grant from the Federal Housing Education and Welfare Agency.

May, 1993

Graduation exercises were held for 32 student nurse graduates from the last class of Newman Hospital School of Nursing.

January, 2022

160 students are currently enrolled in Emporia State University's nursing program.

In honor of 100 years of nursing education, we're seeking 100 nursing stories! If you were in the nursing program at Emporia State, share your story with us at https://emporia.link/ nursing100