Where Compassion Meets Care: Celebrating Mabel for CRNA Week

Every patient remembers how they were made to feel, especially during their most vulnerable moments. A reassuring voice, a steady hand, or a kind smile can turn anxiety into calm, fear into trust, or a routine procedure into a genuine human connection. 

At All Star Healthcare Solutions, our providers do more than fill shifts. They touch lives, bringing skills and compassion wherever they’re needed most. Their influence often reaches far beyond a hospital bedside or quiet exam room. It echoes in the memories of those they’ve comforted long after care ends. 

Recently, Mabel Okungbowa, CRNA, experienced that truth firsthand. Since January, she’s been on a locum tenens assignment with All Star at a hospital in West Virginia. She’s been consistently delivering exceptional clinical care, easing anxieties, and supporting the facility’s team with her expertise and grace. It was on this assignment, as the steady rhythm of her day unfolded, that Mabel was handed a message — a print-out of feedback submitted to the hospital by one of her patients. Its words carried the quiet but powerful weight of gratitude:  

“Mabel Okungbowa, CRNA, helped me this morning during my procedure. She was the kindest staff member and made me feel safe in her hands. She was very patient and took the time to explain everything to both me and my husband. She went above and beyond to make me feel valued and comfortable… It eases my mind to know there’s a kind woman like Ms. Mabel to take care of me.” 

It was a small piece of paper, but it embodied the enormous impact of her work — a tangible reminder that the comfort, patience, and attention she gives every day truly matter. The hospital staff were just as moved by the patient’s words. To celebrate Mabel, they treated her to a meal — a heartfelt gesture of gratitude for the care she gives so freely. 

The Heart Behind Every Assignment 

After reading the patient’s message, Mabel knew she had to share it with her All Star consultant, Lauren McDonnell. She sent her a snapshot of the paper, along with her own reflection on supporting patients at their most fragile. 

“This truly warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes. I am completely humbled, and wanted to share this with you,” she wrote to Lauren. “I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve as a helper in healthcare rather than being on the receiving end. My patients are in the most vulnerable times of their lives, and it’s never by their own doing — it’s simply called life… Lauren, I am grateful to work for an angel like you and for All Star.” 

Lauren is no stranger to Mabel’s caring spirit. She describes her as a kindhearted, driven, patient, and empathetic person who always puts others before herself. After more than a year of working together, Mabel and Lauren have developed a close bond that goes beyond professional partnership. 

“I consider her family,” Lauren said. “Mabel always goes the extra mile to ask how my day was and always takes it a step further to ask how my family is doing. She is very caring and reminds me that the little things can go such a long way. I appreciate Mabel more than she will ever know.” 

Reading the patient’s message, Lauren felt the profound fulfillment of seeing Mabel’s dedication appreciated: 

“Seeing my provider’s care recognized by patients and facilities is such an amazing feeling. It is extremely motivating and rewarding to know that Mabel is being seen and acknowledged for the thing she loves and values most… caring for her patients.” 

For Lauren, stories like Mabel’s capture the heart behind every assignment — the real connections and moments of compassion that define All Star’s work. 

“As a consultant, it is heartwarming to hear the impact that our providers have on their patients and the lasting memories they create,” she said. “It is motivating to keep doing what I love daily so my providers can continue to touch hearts. It’s also an indescribable feeling to see our providers give “Red Carpet” Service to their patients, just as the All Star team does for our providers, people, clients, and community.” 

Check out Mabel’s response to the question “What does being a healthcare professional mean to you?”

The Enduring Effects of Empathy 

Mabel’s story is a true testament to the enduring effects of a provider’s empathy. It also demonstrates the trust and support that flow between patients, providers, and consultants alike. 

At All Star, we’re proud to collaborate with providers like Mabel — professionals who embody excellence, warmth, and the courage to create meaningful impact every single day. Their dedication reminds us why we do what we do: to bring humanity to healthcare. 

Thank you to Mabel and all the other incredible providers out there for making people feel seen, safe, and valued when they need it most. 

Make a Difference with All Star 

At All Star Healthcare Solutions, we believe every assignment is more than a placement — it’s an opportunity to create a lasting impact. Whether you’re a provider ready to share your skills or a healthcare facility seeking compassionate support, we’re here to help build connections that change lives.