I am deeply honored to nominate Charlene Forestier for the DAISY Award in recognition of her extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and life-changing dedication throughout our daughter Aurora’s NICU journey.

From the moment we entered the unit—terrified, overwhelmed, and facing a complex and undiagnosed medical condition requiring possible surgery—she met us with a level of humanity and warmth that instantly transformed fear into hope. She did not treat us as just another family in crisis; she treated us as people deserving of dignity, understanding, and unwavering support.

Every interaction reflected her profound passion for nursing. She spoke to us with gentleness, explained each step with clarity, and created a safe space where we felt not only informed but empowered. She learned about our family, showed genuine love for Aurora, and delivered whole-person care in its truest form—care that embraces medical excellence and emotional presence with equal strength.

Charlene consistently went far beyond what any family could expect. She fiercely advocated for our daughter’s safety and comfort, often anticipating needs before they arose. She navigated Aurora’s complicated and evolving care plan with remarkable clinical expertise, exceptional attention to detail, and calm, confident critical thinking that gave us absolute trust in her hands. Even while serving as charge nurse on some of the busiest days, she never rushed us, never overlooked a concern, and never failed to follow through. She made us feel seen, heard, and valued—every single day.

One of the moments that forever defined her impact came when Aurora suffered a frightening relapse. Her breathing deteriorated so quickly that we were terrified of what might come next. But after a night in Charlene’s care, Aurora stabilized—breathing on her own again, fighting her way back with strength we hadn’t seen in days. We truly believe that the combination of her expert clinical judgment, her vigilant monitoring, and her relentless advocacy gave Aurora the chance to recover when she needed it most.

To our family, Charlene Forestier has been nothing short of a God-sent guardian angel. She brought light and stability to some of the darkest, most uncertain moments of our lives. She restored our hope when we felt helpless, lifted our hearts when fear was overwhelming, and ensured that Aurora was not just cared for, but deeply cherished.

Her selflessness, compassion, and devotion have left an imprint on our family that will never fade. She embodies every single pillar of the DAISY Award—extraordinary clinical skill, exceptional compassion, advocacy, integrity, collaboration, and the ability to transform care into something profoundly human.

Because of her, Aurora’s story is one of resilience. Because of her, we were never alone. And because of her, our family carries a gratitude that words will never fully capture. We will remember her impact for the rest of our lives. She is the very heart of what nursing is meant to be—and she is profoundly deserving of this honor.