<\/strong>Her time in active duty reinforced the values she learned from her parents and the church: integrity, selflessness, and devotion to others. Raised in a faith-filled home, Cunningham\u2019s parents taught her the value of giving and serving others early on. Galatians 5:13 became her guiding verse: \u201cThrough love serve one another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCharacter is who you are when no one is watching,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Coast Guard is a small branch, and your reputation always precedes you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her years in the Coast Guard reinforced those lessons. \u201cThe military taught me to respect every person, no matter their background,\u201d she said. \u201cIt strengthened my sense of duty \u2014 to finish every task with integrity, to do what\u2019s right even when no one is watching.\u201d A desire to serve a purpose in the medical field led Cunningham into nursing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A NEW CHAPTER \u201cThe military taught me structure and time management,\u201d she said. \u201cNursing school was busy, but I was prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her preceptorship at Lincoln Health System changed everything. Though she once envisioned working in a large hospital intensive care unit (ICU), Cunningham felt at home in Lincoln County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe nurses welcomed me with open arms,\u201d Cunningham said. She has worked in nearly every department at Lincoln Health System, including the emergency room (ER), intensive care unit, and medical-surgical floor. Each role taught her something new about healing and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the ER, you focus on acute illness and stay calm under pressure,\u201d she said. \u201cIn the ICU during [COVID-19], I learned to always talk to my patients \u2014 even if they\u2019re intubated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She recalled one patient who returned to the hospital and recognized a nurse\u2019s voice, even though she had never seen the nurse\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat moment showed me how powerful a connection can be,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LEADERSHIP AND MOTHERHOOD \u201cSome come back years later and remember the care we gave,\u201d she said. \u201cSometimes healing means making someone smile or just being present.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although some might view her department changes as inconsistent, Cunningham sees them as a sign of growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA wise nurse told me to soak everything in like a sponge,\u201d she said. \u201cAdaptability builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One experience during the pandemic reaffirmed her calling. She held the hand of an elderly patient as they passed away, FaceTiming the family who couldn\u2019t be there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI realized I was more than a nurse,\u201d she said. \u201cSometimes we\u2019re the closest thing to family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a stint in corporate nursing, Cunningham returned to bedside care. \u201cI missed the patients and the camaraderie,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is where I\u2019m meant to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now pursuing a Ph.D. in health care administration, she\u2019s focused on leadership, compliance, and education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m a \u2018why\u2019 person,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to find better ways to do things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her children are her daily motivation. \u201cBeing a mom is my greatest privilege,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to show them that hard work and compassion matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She balances full-time work, parenting, and graduate studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy 9-year-old tells people I help save lives,\u201d she said. \u201cThat makes my heart proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n HEALING HER HOMETOWN She believes education is key to long-term health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBefore discharge, patients should understand their diagnosis and next steps,\u201d she said. \u201cWe want them to feel confident and supported. We also need to listen and make sure they\u2019re cared for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a nurse in Fayetteville, Cunningham sees herself as a bridge between patients and providers. \u201cWe spend the most time with patients,\u201d she said. \u201cWe notice the subtle changes and advocate for their needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She trains new nurses in the medical-surgical department, passing on her knowledge and compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKindness spreads like wildfire,\u201d she said. \u201cDon\u2019t discount a small hospital.\u201d GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FOR CLAUDIA Cunningham, the call to serve began in a third grade classroom. She remembers watching the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on a box TV at Flintville Elementary and feeling a deep urge to make a difference. \u201cI still get goosebumps when I hear \u2018I\u2019m Proud to Be an American,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cThat day shaped […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":195,"featured_media":25035,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/submitted-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/strong>While still serving, Cunningham earned an associate\u2019s degree in general sciences from Motlow State Community College. She transitioned to the Coast Guard Reserves in 2017 and was accepted into the University of Alabama in Huntsville\u2019s College of Nursing shortly after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/5-8-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/strong>On the medical-surgical floor, patients often stay longer, allowing nurses to build relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/3-6-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/strong>For Cunningham, healing her hometown means advocating for vulnerable patients and addressing disparities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n