Every student walking Baylor graduation stages this weekend has proved their resilience in some form or fashion — but few will have shown the resilience in the months leading up to Commencement as Baylor Nursing student Mahala Griffin-Halvorson.
This summer, Mahala and her husband, Caleb, were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child when life took an unexpected turn. Their son, Hudson, was born 13 weeks early, entering the world at just 1 pound, 9 ounces on June 20. The Halvorsons found themselves fervently praying for their son as nurses cared for him in NICU, providing intensive care to strengthen and save his life.
While Hudson battled for his life, both Mahala and Caleb pressed forward in their callings — Mahala as a Baylor nursing student, Caleb as a Fort Worth firefighter. On September 3, they were dealt another devastating challenge when, while battling a house fire, Caleb was severely injured by a collapsing roof. He suffered a significant knee injury and multiple burns across his back, legs, and hands and face.
Suddenly, Mahala was dealing with trials as both a wife and mother that no one wants to face. As her son battled for his life in NICU, her husband fought for his own in the burn unit. Strengthened by their faith and motivated by a desire to be together with their son, they pressed on — Caleb through multiple surgeries and rehabilitation, and Mahala as she continued to support both loved ones and work toward her degree in nursing.
Finally, the miracles they prayed for came to fruition this fall. Hudson, the smallest baby with the longest NICU stay on record at his hospital, and Caleb, after 34 days in Parkland Hospital’s burn unit, were reunited at home on October 13.
Through it all, Mahala continued to progress toward her degree, a Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing, which she completed this semester. She says the trials her family endured only strengthened her conviction in her call to nursing.
“This whole experience has really shown me the value of nurses as more than just a means of care,” Mahala explained afterward. “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.”
Sic ’em, Mahala and the Halvorson family!