Pediatric Nurses Week: Celebrating Natalie Cekovich

Natalie Cekovich CRNP-BC, RN, DNP. Natalie is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Department of Newborn Services. She is currently one of Portage Community‘s local program mentors, host of our NCLEX prep sessions, and has been a professor for Portage Learning for the past three years. We are excited to celebrate Natalie during #PediatricNursesWeek for all that she does, as she shares about her career below:

I have worked in the clinical setting with newborns for sixteen years. The first half of my career was spent at UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where I spent many years caring for preterm and sick infants.

Currently, I am working at UPMC Horizon Hospital in Hermitage, PA. I was brought to this location to open a special care nursery for the community.

Here the patient population includes general newborn care, infants with small respiratory disorders, and infants who were exposed to opiates in utero.

I believe working with infants is the best! Other than the obvious hugs and cuddles that come with the job, I love reuniting and helping parents on their journey of bringing home a healthy baby.

My husband and I have three remarkable children of our own. Each day with them is a blessing.  I truly believe children are a gift from God, which is why I choose to help others experience the joys of raising a family!

A fellow co-worker of Natalie shared, “Natalie is someone who goes above and beyond whatever she is called to do, and she does so with excellence. Her approach to teaching and mentoring is kind, gentle, and welcoming. She is able to meet people where they are with the utmost patience and care. She is truly a joy and pleasure to interact with.”

Portage Community appreciates all that Natalie Cekovich does. Thank you to all pediatric nurses who are serving children and families in such an important way.