In the NICU, the saying "it takes a village" isn't just a cliché; it’s a lifeline. When our son was born at 27 weeks 1 day, we began a 70-day journey at Providence Alaska Children’s Hospital.

Right away, we were surrounded by a village of caregivers who gave us incredible medical care and gave us the support we desperately needed. While every nurse was amazing, Tasha Tapey went above and beyond even the highest standards. Tasha lived out the Providence core values every single day. Her compassion was so clear when we struggled with the move from Level III to Level II.

She didn't just see a patient; she saw a family that was struggling. She treated us with such dignity, validating our fears and helping us stop seeing our son as fragile and start seeing how strong he was becoming. We trusted her completely because of her integrity. 

Tasha was always honest and realistic with us, which made us feel safe and prepared for the day we’d finally head home. Tasha knew that for my son to succeed, we had to be confident in our ability to care for him outside of the NICU. She didn't just manage his vitals; she managed our stress. One of the biggest turning points was when she advocated for him to be taken off his monitors while we were in the room.

We had become so dependent on those screens, and her reassurance gave us the confidence we needed to realize we could handle this. Even when she wasn't officially assigned to him, she’d still pop in to check on him and us. When she was back with us for discharge, she immediately sensed our anxiety and took practical steps to make sure we felt ready for real life at home.

Tasha’s clinical judgment was spot on. She knew exactly when to step in and when to teach. By focusing on the holistic picture, making sure both the baby and the parents were okay, she ensured we were ready for the transition. Tasha is the definition of nursing excellence.