When Purpose Blooms: Two Sisters, One Calling
March 21, 2026
Written by Lynne Werbeck, DNP, RN, Director of Clinical Support Services at St. Joseph's Health
Some content has been paraphrased for readability
Some content has been paraphrased for readability
At St. Joseph’s Health, some callings are passed down through generations. For sisters Kerrigan, RN (St. Joseph’s College of Nursing) and Heather, RN (Patient Care Unit 2–5), nursing is more than a profession, it’s a legacy rooted in family, faith and service. Their inspiration began with their grandmother, a nurse leader in Syracuse whose strength left a lasting imprint.
What first inspired you to become nurses?
For Kerrigan, nursing was inspired by her grandmother, a respected leader in the operating room in Syracuse whose strength and pride in the profession left a lasting mark. Years later, when her grandmother received care at St. Joseph’s Health, that admiration turned into clarity, sparking Kerrigan’s deeper connection to nursing and her decision to volunteer. Heather’s calling grew from a quieter, deeply personal place. While their other grandmother was on comfort care, Heather felt a strong desire to ease her pain and bring comfort in her final moments. Though she wasn’t initially sure nursing was her path, her grandmother’s belief in the profession and the power of compassionate presence eventually guided her toward the same calling.
What does it mean to care for patients in a place rooted in the Sisters of St. Joseph?
“It means carrying on a legacy built by the Sisters of St. Joseph, trailblazers who shaped health care in this city long before any of us. Working here feels like upholding that spirit. They created something out of nothing, guided by courage, compassion and a deep belief in community care. It was so meaningful to have my grandmother pin me at my pinning ceremony, and it was an honor to be able to pin Heather at hers and continue the legacy,” said Kerrigan.
Heather added, “I’ve learned so much from the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph,” Heather says. “They didn’t just build a hospital; they built a community and a foundation for education. Because of them, I earned an incredible nursing education and began my career as a Registered Professional Nurse.”
She adds, “I want to give back through my practice and my commitment to compassionate care. And then there’s our own story – our grandmother pinning Kerrigan, and Kerrigan pinning me. That moment felt deeply rooted in the Sisters’ tradition: one generation lifting the next.”
What is it like working together?
Working at the same hospital adds a special layer to Kerrigan and Heather’s bond. Beyond the lighthearted perks, like a morning coffee from Heather, there’s deep comfort in knowing they’re walking the same halls, guided by the same mission. Their closeness extends from home to work, where the spirit of dignity, service, and whole‑person care is felt in every interaction. On the hardest days, that bond matters most. Sometimes support looks like a phone call, a listening ear, or a steady presence, no fixing required. As caregivers, they complement each other perfectly: Heather brings warmth and human connection, while Kerrigan offers clinical insight and a deep understanding of the “why” behind care. Together, they lift each other and their patients with heart and purpose.
Which St. Joseph’s Health value resonates most with your work and why?
“For me, it’s integrity...doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Once you’re a nurse, you’re always a nurse. It’s a responsibility you carry for life,” said Kerrigan.
Heather added, “For me, it’s reverence; honoring the dignity and sacredness of every person. I think of our grandmother in her final moments. What mattered most was presence. Reverence reminds me that every patient is a person first.”
She continued, “That’s the kind of nurse I strive to be every day, and at St. Joseph’s, I’m able to be exactly that.”
What do you admire in each other outside of nursing?
“Heather is authentic and resilient. What you see is what you get. She shows up with a smile, grace and strength,” said Kerrigan.
Heather adds, “Kerrigan is deeply dedicated. When she commits to something, she pours her whole heart into it. Her passion and thirst for knowledge inspire me every day.”
Two Sisters, One Calling
Kerrigan and Heather are profoundly lucky not only to have each other but also to learn from one another every day. Sisters by biology and sisters by profession, they embody a balance of knowledge and heart, science and soul.
Rooted in the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph, their shared calling continues to bloom. Through late‑night phone calls, shared meals, quiet listening and support, they carry forward a tradition begun generations ago; one woman lifting another, one nurse shaping the next.
Their story reminds us that when care is rooted in love, guided by values, and nurtured together, it does not merely endure. It flourishes.