Young nurse found unresponsive at Children’s of Alabama, dies after emergency response

A 19-year-old nurse in Alabama has died after collapsing while on duty at the children’s hospital where she worked, authorities and hospital officials confirmed.

Jakoya Renae Morgan was found unresponsive on Tuesday, May 26, during an overnight shift at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, according to multiple local reports and a statement from the hospital.

She was discovered around 4 a.m. and was quickly transported to UAB Hospital, where she was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

The hospital confirmed Morgan was an employee at the time of her death and described her passing as a “sudden loss.”

“We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and her colleagues,” the hospital said in a statement. “In any emergency like this involving a patient or employee, our care teams respond immediately and initiate appropriate life-saving measures as they are trained to do.”

Morgan, a resident of Center Point, Alabama, had been working at the pediatric facility when the medical emergency occurred.

An initial autopsy conducted the same day found evidence of what officials described as an “acute and significant medical event.”

Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said the findings may be linked to a previously diagnosed chronic health condition.

“Autopsy did reveal an acute and significant medical event that can be associated with a chronic health condition the decedent was previously diagnosed with,” Yates said. He added that there was no evidence of foul play.

The final cause of death remains pending additional laboratory testing.

Authorities and hospital officials have not released further details, and the investigation is ongoing as her family and colleagues mourn the sudden loss of the young nurse.

Children’s of Alabama and the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office have not issued additional public comments at this time.