Helping When Families Need it Most

Nikki Scurlock is an expert at helping parents when their children are in the hospital. “You might not think of a cup of coffee or a bar of soap as a big deal,” she says, “but it can be a huge deal for a stressed-out parent.”

Nikki came to work at Children’s National Hospital nearly 20 years ago at the welcome desk. Her dad suggested she do two things every day: make people smile and make others’ lives a little easier. “I seized every opportunity to make a difference,” she says.

She continued to do that when she transitioned to our concierge services team, where she managed Dr. Bear’s Closet. For a decade Nikki stocked the donation closet with new clothing and necessities like toothpaste. “Dr. Bear’s Closet is often just what the doctor ordered when a family is in the hospital,” she says. “It was always about the little things that make a difference.”

Nikki also managed the family waiting room, stocking it with refreshments and toiletries. “I’ve seen moms with the weight of the world on their shoulders,” she says. “To be able to give them a relaxing bar of aromatherapy soap and see them recharged and better able to support their child after a shower — that is a powerful feeling.”

Today, Nikki is a housing and amenities coordinator. She helps families at Children’s National find a temporary places to stay or arranges plans or payment for travel, if they need it. “I don’t call it a job,” she says. “I call it a journey. I am here to help when families need it most.”