Helen Strickler
December 2018
Helen
Strickler
,
RN, BSN
SWAT NICU
Harper University/Hutzel Women's Hospital
Detroit
,
MI
United States

 

 

 

Helen Strickler is a SWAT Nurse for the NICU and was previously a Staff Nurse in the NICU. It would be impossible to summarize the incomparable care that she provides for our babies and families in one scenario. I have personally had the pleasure of Helen providing nursing care to my twins when they were in the NICU. She not only provided care to my babies, but to me and my family when we were at our most vulnerable point. I remember her standing behind the privacy screen as I was sobbing while trying to pump breastmilk for my 32-week twins I delivered 24 hours prior. I was struggling, and it was embarrassing because I am a Nurse. She asked permission to come behind the screen and so gently told me to put the pump down and held my hand. She stated, "Take a deep breath and look at those beautiful babies, you got this babe."
Helen took care of me too. She then taught me everything I needed to know about pumping and taking care of myself so that I could take care of the girls. Every day while in the NICU, Helen always found time to check on me. She even gave me her number to call if I ever had any questions. The compassion, generosity, knowledge and kindness that Helen had towards me, set the ambience for the remainder of our NICU stay.
Helen's dedication to her career, our babies, and our families is truly boundless. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and go out of her way for anyone. I have personally gone through all the departments of women's services asking the fellow nurses and colleagues of any special interaction they have noticed between Helen and our patients. Everyone I encounter had numerous great stories to share and so many wonderful things to say about her always showing general acts of kindness to all. The knowledge and compassion that she utilizes daily, without allowing the day-to-day pressures of her position to change her disposition, is admirable. Helen is an amazing Nurse, mentor, co-worker and friend. A DAISY Award would only be a small highlight of the immeasurable impact she has on her patients daily.