Making Miracles

BEHIND HURLEY’S MIRACLE KIDS THE Miracle

In 2016, new college grad Brooklyn Sondgeroth had dreams of a career in the broadcasting industry when she volunteered for an earlymorning shift at the ABC12 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon. Paired up to shadow Linda Tracy- Stephens, Brooklyn didn’t know what to expect, but was filled with excitement at the chance to be in the news station and experience the action firsthand. She was surprised as she watched kids run past the big-name news anchors to present Linda with bouquets of flowers as she casually chatted with the crowd. After spending 12 hours with Linda, Brooklyn’s whole perspective changed. She realized she wanted to be in a role like Linda’s, where she could change lives, and that became her career goal.

So, who is Linda Tracy-Stephens? Since 2006, Linda has been the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Director for the Hurley Foundation. While this role focuses on raising funds for Hurley Children’s Hospital, Linda does so much more than that, and Brooklyn was immediately impressed with her work ethic, gentle demeanor, and empathetic nature. Those in the community knew and respected her, and if she met a stranger, they weren’t a stranger for long.

Fast-forward to 2020, and Brooklyn is once again working side-by-side with Linda, only this time it’s more of a partnership. Brooklyn explains that Linda doesn’t like the words “boss” or “mentor” and, while Brooklyn’s title is Assistant Director for

CMN Hospitals Programs at the Hurley Foundation, Linda never talks down to her and always treats her like an equal. “She prefers ‘colleague’,” says Brooklyn, “which is hilarious. Here she is, she’s been in this job way longer than me, has so many more connections, and she wants to be on my same level. There’s no way!”

Humble, to say the least. When asked about Linda’s best qualities, Brooklyn notes her sensitivity and empathy. “She is successful because of how she makes everyone around her feel. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t learn something new, or feel my life has been enhanced in some way by working with her.”

Her commitment to the children is evident in everything she does.

Despite Linda’s dislike of the word, Brooklyn does view Linda as a mentor, explaining that she has so much to learn from her. She says when working

with Linda, anything is possible. Brooklyn tells the story of the marketing department’s hopes to use Josh Groban’s popular song “You Raise Me Up” for a NICU holiday video, despite feeling it was unlikely they could get copyright permission. Linda didn’t hesitate, she simply suggested they start making phone calls right away. Within 24 hours, they had permission to use the song. “She just says ‘yes,’ she just says ‘go,’” explains Brooklyn.

It’s this kind of attitude that makes Linda not only successful, but loved and respected. She says working for CMN Hospitals feels like less of a “job” and more of a “passion,” and it shows. Always the first to think outside the box and put herself in another person’s shoes to make sure she is serving the patients and their families in the best

way possible; her kindness shines through in everything she does. She cares deeply about the community she serves and is sensitive to each and every aspect of living and working within it. In addition to her work with CMN Hospitals, Linda is also involved with several community groups and is an active member of her church.

With 2020 testing the entire nation, we all need someone like Linda by our side – someone who exhibits the perfect combination of leadership, positivity, and humility.

Brooklyn sums it up perfectly when she states, “I’d follow her into battle any day.”

Kudos Magazine Volume 6 Issue 2