Everett health unit coordinator’s life-threatening experience sparks a career of compassionate care.
Anna Leon’s approach to care is grounded not just in her training, but also in the real-life challenges she’s faced. In 2014, Anna was rushed to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett (PRMCE) as her body was shutting down from sepsis, a severe, life-threatening immune response to an infection in the bloodstream. But throughout the harrowing experience, Anna says the kind words and actions of the care team in the ICU cut through her fears.
Anna Leon’s approach to care is grounded not just in her training, but also in the real-life challenges she’s faced. In 2014, Anna was rushed to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett (PRMCE) as her body was shutting down from sepsis, a severe, life-threatening immune response to an infection in the bloodstream. But throughout the harrowing experience, Anna says the kind words and actions of the care team in the ICU cut through her fears.“Everyone made me feel really safe. I was in such a vulnerable state, I couldn’t care for myself the entire stay,” Anna said. “They left such a good impression on me, I knew this was the field I wanted to be in. I wanted to help people.”
Motivated by gratitude for the care she received, Anna studied health care administration and eventually returned to give back to the very place that saved her. She started at PRMCE as a volunteer, helping patients and families navigate the hospital and making connections with the people that would eventually become her work family. Her curiosity, drive and desire to make a difference led to a role on the hospital administration team. She now works as a health unit coordinator (HUC) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
For Anna, the intense emotions she experienced as a patient influence every interaction she has with families in the NICU. She always strives to make families feel supported, heard and comforted just as she was. Her empathy is the cornerstone of how she goes about her work, ensuring Providence Swedish’s values of dignity and justice are more than words, but daily realities for our tiniest patients and their loved ones.
For Anna, the intense emotions she experienced as a patient influence every interaction she has with families in the NICU. She always strives to make families feel supported, heard and comforted just as she was. Her empathy is the cornerstone of how she goes about her work, ensuring Providence Swedish’s values of dignity and justice are more than words, but daily realities for our tiniest patients and their loved ones. “I see babies come in very sick and close to dying, and then leave like nothing ever happened,” Anna says. “Getting to see those babies go home healthy—that’s what I enjoy the most.”
Outside the hospital, Anna is a proud mom who loves exploring the natural beauty of Washington with her children. Whether hiking local trails, discovering hidden gems or sharing laughter over snapshots of their adventures, Anna brings a genuine spirit and sense of purpose to everything she does. Her story isn’t just one of overcoming obstacles, but of transforming them into daily acts of kindness and advocacy for every life she touches.
