Kim Crist, 44

Kim Crist is a shoulder for many to lean on. She worked at Great Circle as a “houseparent” every other week where she acted as a parent and positive role model for the children in residential care, and through her role at Mercy, she ensures that people of all walks of life receive high-quality health care. But to be a shoulder to lean on, she first had to take care of herself 11 years ago when she suffered from postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter.

Crist’s pregnancy wasn’t an easy one. Throughout all nine months, sickness was persistent, she was hospitalized multiple times, and eventually she couldn’t work full time. The birth of her daughter was one of the most joyous days of Crist’s life. But 10 days later, her anxiety rose and she couldn’t sleep. She started to spiral, and if it weren’t for the support of her friend, her future now would look much different.

As she began the long process of focusing on her health, Crist began thinking of how she could use her experience to help others. She began to tell her story at Mercy and started working to implement programs to assist women who recently gave birth. Through her leadership, Mercy routinely screens women who recently gave birth to detect postpartum cases early.