Abby Nordberg, LCSW, is an Acute Inpatient Social Worker in Clinical Resource Management at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. She has worked as a social worker for five years and supports families during some of the most overwhelming moments of their lives.
Abby was originally drawn to social work through her interest in mental health, helping, and empowering people. She wanted to support people not only emotionally, but practically, by addressing core issues like making sure they had access to the resources they needed.
Her connection to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho is both personal and professional. When her younger brother spent time in the NICU, her family learned about the House, even though they did not stay there. Now, in her role at Saint Alphonsus, she regularly partners with the House to support families, including many who have been transported from rural communities for higher levels of care. She calls the House “a lifeline for us and our families.”
“How do I stay close to my baby?” is often the first question families ask Abby. She shares that for many parents, the cost of staying in a hotel long term simply is not possible. At the same time, being near their child feels completely non-negotiable. Parents will do whatever it takes to remain close. Abby explains that families are suddenly uprooted from their homes, their communities, and everything familiar, and placed in a new city with a different pace of life. In the middle of a medical crisis, they are trying to find steady ground while navigating an entirely unfamiliar world.
One case that stands out involved a family who had just moved to Idaho when their twins were born early. Abby worked closely with the House to secure lodging while helping them search for permanent housing. When the babies were discharged, the House extended their stay just long enough for the family to move into their new home. Abby still keeps in touch with them and describes the experience as a powerful example of collaboration.
Abby often calls herself a professional stress reducer. Many parents arrive scared, far from home, and unsure how they will manage. Being able to provide answers about housing, transportation, or food allows families to focus on their child instead of logistics. She emphasizes that this kind of support is only possible because of strong partnerships between hospital staff, the House, donors, and volunteers.
At its core, she says, the partnership is about creating a true safety net. There is constant communication between teams. If a mom does not have transportation, they work together to make sure she can get to the hospital. If a family needs food, they coordinate to ensure that need is met. It goes far beyond offering a place to sleep. Together, they look at the whole family and work to make sure their needs are addressed before they are discharged.
Outside of work, Abby recharges by spending time outdoors, cooking, and leaning on her husband and two dogs for support. After five years in the field, she remains deeply passionate about social work and hopes people understand that social workers are licensed mental health professionals and advocates who care about the bigger picture.
