I want to recognize Deirdre Casey for her extraordinary innovation and commitment to improving communication and inclusivity within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Deirdre’s visionary leadership and deep compassion led to the creation of the NICU Speaks program, an initiative that has revolutionized how families whose primary language is not English connect with their babies’ care teams.

Recognizing that equitable communication is fundamental to family-centered care, Deirdre partnered with her leadership team and the Patient Experience Department to develop a sustainable, technology-driven solution. She approached the challenge with creativity, compassion, and a customer-obsessed mindset, asking not how families could adapt to the system, but how the system could adapt to families.

Families report feeling more connected, respected, and informed about their infant’s care. Staff members express a renewed sense of satisfaction, knowing they can engage families more meaningfully and inclusively. Deirdre’s initiative exemplifies the true spirit of innovation in nursing, identifying a need, designing an elegant and inclusive solution, and measuring its impact. Beyond the numbers, her work has restored a sense of trust, belonging, and empowerment among families navigating one of the most vulnerable experiences of their lives.