I am proud to nominate Melissa for the DAISY Award in recognition of the exceptional care and compassion she provided to our family during our time in the NICU. This was our second time as NICU parents, so we knew the challenges that lay ahead, but that didn't make it any easier emotionally. From the very beginning, Melissa made us feel welcomed, supported, and seen. Her calm, caring nature helped ease our anxiety, and her genuine compassion created a space where we felt safe and cared for. Melissa made us feel like family. She treated our daughter with the utmost love and respect, as if she were her own. Every diaper change, feeding, or update felt personal and meaningful. When we couldn't be there with our baby, we had complete peace of mind knowing Melissa was by her side. That kind of trust is priceless. She didn't just care for our daughter, she cared for us. She answered every question with patience, listened to our concerns with empathy, and celebrated our daughter's milestones with genuine joy. Her presence gave us strength and comfort during some of our most vulnerable moments. Having been through the NICU experience before, we can say without hesitation that Melissa is one of the most compassionate, skilled, and emotionally intelligent nurses we have ever encountered. She is truly a gift to her profession and to the families she cares for. We are forever grateful to her and feel so blessed that she was part of our journey.