MADERA, Calif. – Some of the children Sharon Vander Plaats once cared for are now in their 50s with kids of their own. It’s a humbling reminder of the impact she’s had over 37 years with Valley Children’s Healthcare – and why she still loves what she does.
Vander Plaats, a rehab nurse practitioner in the hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation center, began her journey in 1988 when she interviewed for a position on a then-fledgling rehab unit. At the time, the unit had only been open for two years and consisted of just four beds.
“I started as a clinical nurse specialist, kind of as the resource for rehab,” Vander Plaats said. “It’s amazing how much it’s grown.”
Over the years, she has witnessed the transformation of the program – from modest beginnings to a robust center offering advanced surgical interventions and cutting-edge technology. But for Vander Plaats, the heart of her work has always been the children and families she serves.
“Some of the kids are in their 30s, 40s, 50s now,” she said. “It’s kind of funny to think we have kids that are that old who’ve been through the program.”
Vander Plaats credits the families and children for doing the “hardest work,” describing herself and her colleagues as their biggest cheerleaders. Her passion lies especially in helping children reintegrate into school after rehabilitation, ensuring their educational needs are met despite new challenges.
“Education is such an important part of the child’s world,” she said. “One of my biggest passions is school integration and getting kids back into the school environment.”
Throughout her tenure, Vander Plaats has found deep camaraderie among her colleagues, describing the rehab team as a “second family.”
“It’s not just a work group,” she said. “It’s really a second family for us.”
Now, as she celebrates 37 years at Valley Children’s in August, Vander Plaats remains committed to the mission and inspired by the hospital’s growth.
“I just love what I do and the people I work with,” she said. “It’s such a great organization. I can’t imagine going anywhere else.”
