...Mary Ann Blair has worked for the North Broward Health District for 31 years and worked as a NICU nurse for all of those years. During this time she has been a caregiver for many premature babies, a friend to their parents and partner to her team. But the most recent baby is the one I feel you need to know about.

On 10/22/2014, Sabrina was born at 24 weeks and 2 days in Bermuda. That is 16 weeks premature, so to say she was tiny is an understatement. Sabrina was transported by herself on an airplane to our NICU. Luckily, her father was able to come just a few hours ahead of her and was waiting on her when she arrived. Her mother was still in the hospital in Bermuda so she was not able to come to see Sabrina until a few days later.

Shortly after Sabina's arrival, she met Mary Ann. To say that gives me a great sense of happiness, because it was just who Sabrina needed. Mary Ann saw this baby with a need and immediately signed on to be her primary nurse. What that means is that every time Mary Ann is at work, she will care for Sabrina. Mary Ann took to Sabrina like so many of the others before her. She provided the care and compassion that she needed. She kept mom and dad updated about every turn...for the better and the worse. They knew they could count on Mary Ann to watch over their precious little angel. That's why when the time came for both parents to return to Bermuda, they entrusted her to be the link to them and keep Sabrina safe. They have even given her a name in Tagalog (the language that Sabrina's parents speak), Lola; which means Grandmother.

Mary Ann and I were brought to tears when Sabrina was transferred to Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital to undergo a coiling procedure to close her PDA. Her parents could not make it to be with her for the procedure. Just take a moment to think about this, how hard it is to imagine that your child is going through a procedure and you're not being there with her. To hold her and comfort her when she needed it the most. But, Mary Ann took the time on her days off to be at Sabrina's bed side. To be her comfort, the connection between her and her parents, her Lola.

She goes above and beyond her 12 hours here at Broward Health to be just what the patient needs. Mary Ann has been the "Lola" that Sabrina needed and the friend to her parents to keep them in touch across the miles. Sabrina has been on our unit now for 5 months. Her parents try to make it to see Sabrina about once a month but as a parent we know how hard that can be on you, to not see your sweet baby. But Mary Ann does everything she can to keep the parents and Sabrina connected which is the most important piece to all of this.

Mary Ann not only upholds the values of the DAISY Award but the 5 star values of the North Broward Health District.