Birmingham, Ala. (May 9, 2025)—Most mothers and daughters will tell you they have a special bond. However, for Caroline Norris and Karen Amdall, their bond extends from their homes into the lives of their patients, whom they encounter daily. Norris and Amdall are certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) at Children’s of Alabama. Karen started working at Children’s in 1986.
“When I was working in the operating room, I had a mentor working as a CRNA,” said Amdall. “She saw something in me that I didn’t know existed and encouraged me to return to nursing anesthesia school.”
In 1999, Amdall transferred to Children’s South, and she has been working in the outpatient surgery center as a staff CRNA since then. Amdall did not know that her daughter was paying close attention to her as she was going through school and starting her career.
“I grew up watching her enjoy her job and really liking what she did for a living,” said Norris. “I knew I wanted to go into nursing.”
Amdall says her daughter was interested in nursing from the tenth grade, but didn’t know the path she wanted to take. It wasn’t until she graduated from the University of Alabama nursing school and began working with the Critical Care Unit at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) that she decided to return to nursing anesthesia school.
Norris, who currently works on Children’s main downtown campus, says her mother helped shape her career in several ways, including letting her shadow her at Children’s South, helping her prepare for clinicals, and advising her on what to expect when she was in an operating room.
“It’s an honor to follow my mom in her footsteps as a CRNA,” said Norris. “It’s really neat that I get to see her when we are working in the same hospital. We get to talk about certain things going on.”
Amdall says their special connection means everything to her.
“We can talk about work,” said Amdall. “I can text or call her if I have a question about something I am doing. She calls me to ask me about something she will be doing. So, it is very precious and dear to me.”
Despite this special bond, Norris says her mother also possesses another special trait.
“She is just a superhero,” said Norris. “When I was young, she handled everything, and she has always been able to handle mom duties at home, whether it be cooking a home-cooked meal every night, managing dishes, or doing laundry. It all got done, and it all got handled. She would go to work early the next day or have to go in in the middle of the night. I never really heard her complain. She can handle everything.”
Norris may be one proud daughter, but the two have a mutual feeling.
“Not only did Caroline follow in my footsteps, but she also ran right past me,” said Amdall. “She has excelled in everything she does and has far surpassed my accomplishments.”
Amdall will celebrate her 40th anniversary at Children’s of Alabama next year, and her daughter, Caroline, will celebrate her 10th anniversary.
