Rachel Steih
June 2025
Rachel
Steih
,
RN
Neonatal ICU
University of Michigan Health - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
,
MI
United States
Once we transitioned out of the NICU, she suggested creating a notebook for the new nurses, which could be useful at home in the future. She didn't stop at just suggesting; she also offered to help put it together.
Rachel has an extremely thoughtful approach to her job, and our family was lucky enough to be under her care. Her job went beyond just providing treatment for our son. Rachel thought of us as a family each step of the way. Her commitment to our comfort was tangible. One of the first times we met Rachel, she made us a list of must-try restaurants in Ann Arbor, knowing we may have an extended stay.
During our time here, Rachel has been an incredible source of support, creating beautiful keepsakes for both our son and our daughter. Each footprint and handprint marks the passage of another month and another day we got to share with our son. These treasures hold immense value for us; they remind us of the love and gratitude that enveloped this chapter of our lives, even amidst the challenges. They’ve gifted us the opportunity to create wonderful memories within the confines of the hospital. Rachel always ensured that we celebrated every holiday and monthly birthday. On our son’s 6-month birthday, she took it upon herself to decorate his door, bringing in a festive party hat to help us commemorate this significant milestone. Her thoughtful gestures gave us the opportunity to embrace joy in small ways, creating a sense of normalcy during our hospital stay. She crafted a golf sign with our son’s prints, allowing us to honor that occasion as well. It’s these little mementos that often brought tears to my eyes, reminding me of the beauty in every moment and the power of connection.
Rachel was always willing to take photos of our family. Often, she was the first one to suggest it. Especially right before a major surgery. Her awareness that this was an important moment was heartwarming. In the whirlwind of stress and uncertainty, taking a photograph often slips from our minds, but Rachel knew better. Now, those images serve as cherished reminders of all we have been through, a testament to her intuition and care when we couldn't articulate our needs ourselves. I will forever treasure these snapshots because they reflect not just our faces but our son’s journey.
Navigating the complexities of a child's medical challenges can often feel overwhelming. However, amidst the anxiety, there are individuals like Rachel, whose unwavering support and resourcefulness transform stressful situations into manageable experiences. Her innate ability to provide comfort and assistance has been a lifeline during some of our most challenging moments. After our son's trach surgery, Rachel stepped in with a thoughtful gesture that made all the difference. She compiled a list of social media moms who had navigated a similar path, connecting us to a community of shared experiences and support. This simple act not only provided valuable resources but also fostered a sense of belonging, reminding us we were not alone. When we received our son's hepatoblastoma diagnosis, she assisted us in finding research articles related to cases and treatment plans and went even further to gather relevant information about Trisomy 18. During our son's time in the PTCU for heart surgery, Rachel's compassion extended beyond her professional duties. She devoted time to knitting a blanket and delivering a heartfelt note. Once we transitioned out of the NICU, she suggested creating a notebook for the new nurses, which could be useful at home in the future. She didn't stop at just suggesting; she also offered to help put it together. She sent ideas and took the time to jot down specific details about our son’s care for us to include. Even after we left the NICU, Rachel offered to continue to help us celebrate our son’s milestones. Her offer to keep crafting signs showed her understanding of the importance of marking special moments amid adversity. She illustrates how kindness can manifest in the simplest yet profound ways.
Her unwavering professionalism and deep knowledge have given us a sense of peace and confidence we never thought possible. Knowing that our son was in her capable hands allowed us to breathe easily and step away when needed. Rachel exemplifies the essence of compassionate care. Her actions—whether finding information about medical conditions, providing comfort through handmade gifts, or facilitating smoother transitions—demonstrated a depth of thoughtfulness that went far beyond the bedside. In moments when hope felt fragile, Rachel turned our anxiety into reassurance, showing us that with a little help from someone who truly cares, even the darkest days can be illuminated by kindness. We can’t express enough how grateful we are for the way Rachel cared for our son and our family. She was always considerate of our needs as parents, making sure we were involved and informed every step of the way. The love and attention she showed our son made it clear that she sees him as more than a patient, which ultimately provides us the peace of mind we needed to manage our external lives.
During our time here, Rachel has been an incredible source of support, creating beautiful keepsakes for both our son and our daughter. Each footprint and handprint marks the passage of another month and another day we got to share with our son. These treasures hold immense value for us; they remind us of the love and gratitude that enveloped this chapter of our lives, even amidst the challenges. They’ve gifted us the opportunity to create wonderful memories within the confines of the hospital. Rachel always ensured that we celebrated every holiday and monthly birthday. On our son’s 6-month birthday, she took it upon herself to decorate his door, bringing in a festive party hat to help us commemorate this significant milestone. Her thoughtful gestures gave us the opportunity to embrace joy in small ways, creating a sense of normalcy during our hospital stay. She crafted a golf sign with our son’s prints, allowing us to honor that occasion as well. It’s these little mementos that often brought tears to my eyes, reminding me of the beauty in every moment and the power of connection.
Rachel was always willing to take photos of our family. Often, she was the first one to suggest it. Especially right before a major surgery. Her awareness that this was an important moment was heartwarming. In the whirlwind of stress and uncertainty, taking a photograph often slips from our minds, but Rachel knew better. Now, those images serve as cherished reminders of all we have been through, a testament to her intuition and care when we couldn't articulate our needs ourselves. I will forever treasure these snapshots because they reflect not just our faces but our son’s journey.
Navigating the complexities of a child's medical challenges can often feel overwhelming. However, amidst the anxiety, there are individuals like Rachel, whose unwavering support and resourcefulness transform stressful situations into manageable experiences. Her innate ability to provide comfort and assistance has been a lifeline during some of our most challenging moments. After our son's trach surgery, Rachel stepped in with a thoughtful gesture that made all the difference. She compiled a list of social media moms who had navigated a similar path, connecting us to a community of shared experiences and support. This simple act not only provided valuable resources but also fostered a sense of belonging, reminding us we were not alone. When we received our son's hepatoblastoma diagnosis, she assisted us in finding research articles related to cases and treatment plans and went even further to gather relevant information about Trisomy 18. During our son's time in the PTCU for heart surgery, Rachel's compassion extended beyond her professional duties. She devoted time to knitting a blanket and delivering a heartfelt note. Once we transitioned out of the NICU, she suggested creating a notebook for the new nurses, which could be useful at home in the future. She didn't stop at just suggesting; she also offered to help put it together. She sent ideas and took the time to jot down specific details about our son’s care for us to include. Even after we left the NICU, Rachel offered to continue to help us celebrate our son’s milestones. Her offer to keep crafting signs showed her understanding of the importance of marking special moments amid adversity. She illustrates how kindness can manifest in the simplest yet profound ways.
Her unwavering professionalism and deep knowledge have given us a sense of peace and confidence we never thought possible. Knowing that our son was in her capable hands allowed us to breathe easily and step away when needed. Rachel exemplifies the essence of compassionate care. Her actions—whether finding information about medical conditions, providing comfort through handmade gifts, or facilitating smoother transitions—demonstrated a depth of thoughtfulness that went far beyond the bedside. In moments when hope felt fragile, Rachel turned our anxiety into reassurance, showing us that with a little help from someone who truly cares, even the darkest days can be illuminated by kindness. We can’t express enough how grateful we are for the way Rachel cared for our son and our family. She was always considerate of our needs as parents, making sure we were involved and informed every step of the way. The love and attention she showed our son made it clear that she sees him as more than a patient, which ultimately provides us the peace of mind we needed to manage our external lives.