My daughter was in the NICU for 5 months. During this time, Nurse Shea provided exemplary care to my daughter and our whole family by going above and beyond countless times. Shea’s clinical skills and judgment are excellent. Throughout our daughter’s hospital stay, Shea was attuned to all of her healthcare needs. She was an effective liaison between our family and the medical team, and she helped me and my wife express our concerns about our daughter to the medical staff.

Shea’s clinical judgement is second to none. At one point during our hospital stay, the medical team was preparing for an early discharge. Shea noticed the week before discharge that our daughter was having increased work of breathing. After a blood test, it was determined that discharge wouldn’t have been safe for our daughter, given her respiratory support. Our daughter went on to spend two more months in the hospital after this episode, which was time she definitely needed to improve her respiratory function. Shea’s attention to detail and willingness to express her concern regarding my daughter’s breathing may have saved her life.

In everything Shea did, it was clear that she truly cared for our daughter. Our daughter knew her voice and would light up when Nurse Shea came into the room. Shea cared not only for my daughter, but also our whole family. On Christmas, shortly after my daughter was born, Shea took the time to decorate her hospital room. She did the same on Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. Although it may seem a small thing, decorating our daughter’s hospital room for holidays made the space feel like home, and made spending those long holidays in the NICU easier for everyone in our family. Shea would leave our family notes in our daughter’s hospital room with updates on our daughter’s progress. Shea would always come to work happy to care for our daughter. My wife and I are both physicians. Shea is a testament to the University of Michigan, and the care she provided my daughter was exemplary.