It’s a small world: Betty Getz, RN, forms friendship with patient

For Betty Getz, RN, Women and Children’s Services, and patient Tabitha (Tabby) Wiatrowski, it really is a small world.

Tabby, originally from Ghana, moved from Chicago to State College in 2022, not long before the birth of her first son, Asher. When it came time to welcome Asher into the world, Betty was her nurse. According to Tabby, Betty was personable, polite and down-to-earth — she was easy to talk to. In conversation, she shared with Betty that she is originally from Ghana, and in that moment, the pair struck an immediate connection.

A shared tie to Ghana

That’s because Betty is part of Ghana Medical Relief (GMR), a nonprofit organization that provides care to underserved communities in Ghana, founded in 2011 by Samuel Owusu, MD, OBGYN, Chair of Obstetrics, and his wife, Belinda Owusu, RN.

It so happened that in just one month’s time, Betty would be traveling to Ghana with GMR. The organization’s opening ceremony would take place in the capital city of Accra, where Tabby’s mother, Elizabeth, still lives.

Inspired by her new friendship with Tabby, Betty invited Elizabeth to the ceremony. Following the festivities, they called Tabby, and the three of them shared a wonderful conversation with much laughter.

A mother’s gratitude and a bond that continued to grow

“The sad truth is that I haven’t seen my mom since I left Ghana in 2013,” said Tabby. “Knowing that Betty had taken such great care of me and showed genuine interest in my well-being meant so much to my mom. She was happy to know I had a mother-figure in Betty as I transitioned into motherhood myself.”

Over the next two years, Betty and Tabby remained in touch. When Betty learned that Tabby would be expecting her second son, she hoped to be able to care for her again. Tabby’s son, Zeke, was born at Mount Nittany Medical Center. And, on the last night of her stay, Betty was her nurse.

“I was so comfortable going into labor and delivery with Zeke because I knew that Betty would be coming to see me and help me,” said Tabby.

Tabby has nothing but praise for Betty and all the Mount Nittany Health providers and staff who have cared for her throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery.

“I continuously tell people that the postpartum period is my favorite and that’s because it all started with the immediate care I received from Mount Nittany Health,” said Tabby.

A lasting impact

Tabby shares that she’s saddened to think her future babies won’t have the “Betty-touch” as she and her family have moved away from the area, but she remains grateful for the friendship she formed and the many individuals who have cared for her and her family.

“I would just like to say that kindness goes a long way to transform lives, and it costs nothing — the Mount Nittany Health team is a testament to that,” said Tabby.