We spent two gut-wrenching months watching our son fight to live at CHOA. This nurse was wonderful. We were so fortunate to have her as one of our primary nurses. She was there every step of the way, making us so comfortable with every procedure. She was so strong and lovely. I loved coming in every day and working with her. She always knew what was going on and was thinking one step ahead. She was very calm through even the hardest of moments.

We knew if she was on, that our son was going to be so well cared for, which meant the world to me. It even allowed me to step away when I mentally needed to because I knew she had him. She listened to us and met all our family. She was truly interested in our family. She was so accommodating to all our visitors and our wants with our son. She even helped us hold him for the first time.

Even though it took a whole team, she was there to help the whole time. I truly miss hanging out with her, even as a person, but I just felt she was such a beacon of hope throughout the whole time. During our stay at the NICU, our baby was one of the sickest in the unit. Due to him being the sickest, when Joint Commissioners came to do the rounds on the NICU, this nurse was pretty sure she would be chosen for extra testing on our baby's information.

I know this must have been extra hard work on top of an already hard job. She, of course, did a fabulous job through that interview reviewing our son’s care. I was so impressed by her that I told the Joint Commissioners about how wonderful this nurse was in our care. Without her, I don’t know if our son would have made it as long as he has. She was such a friend to me during our stay that I am actually sad we don’t get to catch up anymore.

Sounds silly, but when you go through your darkest time, it’s nice to have someone on your side. She is such a great nurse and deserves this award for her outstanding compassion to the NICU unit. I wish her the best and hope she keeps fighting for all the sweet babies in her care.