Shenoa Jamieson is not one to shy away from challenges — she prefers to chase after them. Jamieson has worked with patients facing cancer, developmental disabilities, foster care and abuse. Today, she applies that fearlessness to her role at the Child Advocacy Center at UPMC Children’s Hospital.

“What I do is very hard, but it’s even harder for the children and families that are going through the experiences,” says Jamieson. “I see strength and resilience every day.”

Taking on tough situations comes naturally to the nurse who, in the immediate wake of Hurricane Katrina, moved her family to New Orleans for a year to help combat the ensuing healthcare crisis. Since then, she’s tirelessly advanced her skills, earning certifications through the Commission of Forensic Nursing as both a pediatric and adult/adolescent sexual assault nurse examiner. She’s also contributing to a new initiative for pediatric nurse practitioners aimed at supporting foster children.

At the Child Advocacy Center, COVID-19 managed to make Jamieson’s already-daunting job even more difficult. With less exposure to mandated reporters, fewer children had access to support.

“Coming back to a little bit of normalcy has been hard-hitting for us, but we get through,” she says. “I work with an amazing team, and they are all lovely and supportive people, which makes sense because they’re in a field that requires you to be very good at connecting.”

Jamieson knows creating those connections means establishing trust with the children and families she sees. She is committed to making sure her patients know her as a reliable resource for their overall well-being, no matter what they need, whether it be medical care, food assistance or even winter coats.

“My job is rich in meaning,” she says.