Dr. Nikki Shoemake was a physician at OCH Regional Medical Center in Starkville, Mississippi. In 2016 she gave birth to a baby girl and then died of “natural causes during delivery of a baby,” according to Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt.

One week later, the baby girl they named Aubrey Caroline Patterson, died. No other information was given about her death.

In a statement, the hospital said,

“Our hospital family is mourning the loss of this beautiful woman who devoted her life to taking care of others. Please remember Dr. Shoemake’s family in your thoughts and prayers. She will be missed greatly but will never be forgotten.”1

And the OCH Administrator/CEO Richard Hilton went on to say,

“Dr. Shoemake was an excellent surgeon who cared about her patients and was passionate about the practice of medicine. She had an impact on countless lives and will be greatly missed.”2

It makes no sense that women are still dying in childbirth in first world, industrialized nations.

Our hearts and thoughts remain with this family.

Sources and References

  1. AJC, June 2, 2016.
  2. AJC, June 2, 2016.