Mahala Griffin-Halvorson, nursing student at Baylor, gave birth to her son, Hudson, 13 weeks early, while her husband, Caleb, was in the hospital from serious injuries fighting a fire.
Caleb was at the scene of a house fire when the roof of the garage in a burning home fell on him and trapped him in the flames and smoke, NBC News reported.
“I thought I was going to die because it was so hot,” Caleb told NBC News.
Caleb, a Fort Worth firefighter, went through surgery for burns and a serious knee injury.
Halvorson is in her final semester of nursing school at the Louise Herrington School of Nursing in the Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science program track.
She gave birth to Hudson at Texas Health Resources Alliance Hospital.
Mahala and Caleb credit their faith, resilience and the support of others that brought them back together.
“Here at the [Louise Herrington School of Nursing], we are keeping Hudson and Caleb in our prayers as they both grow stronger while Mahala returns to nursing school to complete her degree with the anticipated graduation date of December 2025,” said Kathryn Osteen, clinical professor and associate dean for pre-licensure program at the nursing school.
“Just like Mahala’s family recently experienced, we all need a nurse at some point in our lives, and the need for caring and compassionate nurses has never been greater.
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“We are proud of Mahala’s determination to press on amidst all that her family has endured. She is a testament to the belief that nursing is more than just a profession but a lifetime calling to make a genuine difference.”
Her newborn baby and husband fought for their lives but made it out of the hospital, reuniting with each other through prayers and support.
Caleb was able to come home to continue his healing journey. Four days later, Hudson came home.
The experience strengthened Mahala’s resolve to her call into nursing.
“This whole experience has really shown me the value of nurses as more than just a means of care,” she said.
“The nurses were my sounding board. They never made me feel stupid for being mad. They let me sit in my feelings. And they never left me feeling alone in this. They were who I needed, and I hope to one day be the person a family member needs in the future.”
The neonatal intensive care unit meant more to her than the definition of its services, Mahala said.
“If you google NICU, it will say ‘neonatal intensive care unit,’ but to me it’s so much more than that. It’s a place where the walls hear more prayers than a church,” she added.
“It’s often more quiet than a place full of babies should be. It’s full of growth and heartbreak. It’s where little miracles happen along with worst nightmares. This is the place where I want to make a difference.
“Plus, the burn unit is unlike any place I have ever been before. The distinct smell, cries and care is something I will never forget. It’s one of the most painful, but quickest healing units at the same time.”
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