In the quiet moments of a nurse’s life, there exists a profound truth: the work they do is not just a profession—it’s a calling. It’s a life of service, compassion and sacrifice. And when that life comes to an end, it deserves to be honored with the same dignity and grace that defined it. That’s the mission behind the Nurse Honor Guard, and it’s a mission that SSM Health’s Staci Branch has embraced with her whole heart.
Branch, president of the newly formed OKC Metro Nurse Honor Guard Coalition, is no stranger to leadership or service. As the Oklahoma regional ambulatory infection preventionist for SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City, she has spent her career safeguarding the health of others. But her journey into the world of honoring nurses began not in a hospital, but hearing a friend tell her of her experience.
“I first became interested in the Nurse Honor Guard program after hearing a friend, Amy, tell of the Tribute and Final Call to Duty provided at her mother’s funeral,” Branch said. “I got goosebumps hearing how the local chapter came and honored her mother’s nursing dedication. Amy and I both knew this was something important, and we both wanted to be a part of giving back in such a meaningful way.”
That moment stayed with her. When a close friend passed away, Branch felt compelled to act. She joined the Tulsa chapter to gain access to the Honor Guard regalia, and with another colleague, drove to Texas to provide a tribute at her friend’s memorial. It was a gesture of love, respect and solidarity—nurses honoring nurses.
But something was missing. The Oklahoma City area had no chapter of its own. So, Branch did what nurses do best: she stepped up. She recruited fellow nurses, invested her own money to purchase the first 10 ceremonial capes, and founded the OKC Metro Nurse Honor Guard Coalition. Today, the chapter has 13 members and has already paid tribute to 10 fallen nurses. Branch also helped set up a tribute for a Midwest City nurse in Arizona, where she was laid to rest.
“We are currently working on building our chapter,” Branch says. “Each person is purchasing their own regalia and white uniform. The next step is to recruit new members, find potential donations and be available for tribute requests.”
The Nurse Honor Guard is more than a ceremony—it’s a sacred tradition. Founded in 2003 by the Kansas State Nurses Association, it began as a local tribute but quickly grew as nurses across the country recognized its power. In 2011, Julia Godby Murray saw the ceremony at a conference in Detroit and was inspired to expand its reach. She founded the National Nurses Honor Guard Coalition, which has since helped over 215 groups begin their journey.
Now, thanks to Branch’s vision and dedication, Oklahoma City joins that legacy.
“We are nurses honoring nurses for their years of service during their careers,” Branch said. “Although we are just getting started, we have already done so much.”
In a world that often moves too fast to pause and reflect, the Nurse Honor Guard reminds us to slow down—to honor, to remember and to celebrate the lives of those who gave so much. And thanks to leaders like Staci Branch, that tribute will continue to echo through the halls of Oklahoma’s hospitals, homes and hearts.
