Hayleigh, the charge nurse, truly embodies the compassion, leadership, and advocacy recognized by the DAISY Award. Throughout our NICU stay, she consistently made sure we had everything we needed and checked in on us during some of our most emotional moments.

When our son began experiencing difficulties with eating and maintaining his oxygen levels, Hayleigh’s support meant more to us than words can express. Working in the medical field myself, I understand that family members are typically not allowed to remain in the room during sterile procedures. However, knowing how emotional and overwhelmed mom was during this difficult time, Hayleigh went above and beyond to reduce additional stressors by allowing dad to stay in the room during our son’s PICC line placement so mom could feel supported.

This thoughtful act of compassion made an incredibly hard moment more manageable. Hayleigh also stepped in to address and resolve a nursing concern we experienced, advocating for our family with professionalism and kindness. When our son’s PICC line later required adjustment, she even came in on her day off to personally manage his care, demonstrating an extraordinary level of dedication.

Hayleigh showed a genuine understanding of what families want and need during a NICU stay, providing care not only for our son but for us as parents as well. Her empathy, leadership, and commitment made a lasting impact on our family, and we are deeply grateful for the exceptional care she provided.