Julie Ann Crosby

I cannot think of a more deserving nurse than Julie Ann Crosby for The DAISY Award. About a year ago Julie Ann cared for N, a young mother-to be who had multiple health complications. N was hospitalized during the last trimester of her pregnancy. In fact, she was the first patient to move in our new unit, and we let her pick out her room. Julie Ann was her primary nurse on 3-11PM.

We all became aware of the mutual bond from comments like “Julie said this was the best thing for me” or “Julie taught me this and that”.

Julie Ann taught N how to play the card game SKIPBO and played with her in the evening when her other patients were settled. She would bring her books, crafts, and many times favorite snacks. Julie Ann was a role model, mentor, friend, and advisor. She broke through the defensive, angry wall that N had built in her early days with us, as evidenced by her displays of inappropriate behaviors. These behaviors gradually changed as N realized we were not her enemy.

Julie Ann had a huge part in this change, through  listening and advising N in making difficult choices for herself and her baby. For us Julie Ann was the liaison, who made working and caring for N one of partnership, and helped create a more trusting relationship. N delivered at 31 weeks and visited her son in NICU for many weeks. Julie Ann kept up with the baby’s progress and guided this young girl in her new role as a mother.

Growing up, my mother always said the deeds you do for others are best done quietly, without advertising to others. Julie Ann. did exactly that. She helped a mother in need of support, she mentored with kindness, and she became a role model for N. Recently, N passed away and we learned of Julie Ann’s involvement.

In March of 2010, N was involved in a motor vehicle accident and then died after months of fighting a battle that could not be won due to her multiple health issues. Again, Julie Ann invested her time in supporting and counseling N’s significant other and family. Ironically, Julie Ann is a bereavement coordinator for parents suffering the loss of an infant. In this case it was the lost mother’s grieving family that Julie Ann supported at this most tragic time.