Caitlin went above and beyond to make me feel truly cared for during one of the most overwhelming and important times of my life. From the moment I walked into the OB ED, Caitlin treated me like a friend instead of just another patient. She spoke with warmth, kindness, and familiarity that instantly put me at ease, which is exactly what I needed as a nervous first-time mom.

Caitlin stayed with me as I moved from the ED to labor and delivery, always checking in to make sure both my husband and I were doing okay. She showed so much kindness to him as well, recognizing that hospitals are not a place where he feels comfortable. Caitlin made sure to include him, reassure him, and support him just as much as she supported me, which meant the world to us both.

One moment that I will never forget was when I was getting my epidural. My husband was holding me gently, but it wasn’t giving me the comfort I needed—and I didn’t know how to ask for something different. Without hesitation, Caitlin stepped in. She gently apologized to my husband, asked him to step aside, and wrapped me in a bear hug. She knew exactly what I needed without me ever having to say a word. That small act of intuition and compassion meant everything to me in that vulnerable moment.

At shift change, Caitlin made a point to say goodbye, telling me she hoped to come back and see me the next night. True to her word, when I was in labor the following day, she came into my room even though she wasn’t my assigned nurse. Caitlin explained that she had to attend another delivery, but promised that if I had delivered by the time she was done, she would come back to be my son’s nurse.

As if by fate, Caitlin came back just in time and was there to help deliver my baby boy. That was such a special gift, and I cannot describe how much it meant to me to have her there at that moment. Even after delivery, Caitlin continued to check in on my son and me.

When I was transferred to the postpartum unit, she came by on her next shift just to say hello and see how we were doing. With Caitlin, I felt like I had a constant presence—someone who saw me, heard me, and supported me through a whirlwind experience. She honored every detail of my birth plan, even reminding me of things I had forgotten, and respected my wishes every step of the way.

To me, what sets Caitlin apart is not just her excellent clinical care but the way she made me feel truly valued as a person. She went out of her way to check on me, even when I wasn’t her patient. Caitlin comforted me in ways I didn’t know I needed. She made my husband feel included and cared for.

Out of all the medical staff I encountered, Caitlin is the one who left the greatest impression on us. Months later, my husband and I still talk about her, and we are forever grateful that Caitlin was part of our story. She embodies everything the DAISY Award represents—compassion, skill, dedication, and heart.