November 2025 Honoree
3 West Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Amy Abbruzzese BSN, RNC-NIC • Kira Allison ADN, RN • Myla Amat BSN, RN • Taylor Aleece Ashby BSN, RN • Margaret Baker BSN, RN • Adam Bohan MSN, RN • Kelsey Brown BSN, RN • Raymond Brown-Riley BSN, RNC-NIC, CNNIC, C-NPT, NTMNC • Amanda Juniata Brown-Smith BSN, RN • Meghan Kemper Calcagno BSN, RN • Margaret Grace Cochran BSN, RN • Melissa Coppola BSN, RN • Anna Dimario BSN, C-ELBW • Chinasa Angelica Ejiofor BSN, RN • Cerys Eldred BSN, RN • Cameron Grief BSN, RN • Adele Haddix BSN, RNC-NIC, CELBW • Peyton Hampton BSN, RN • Lorelei Hernandez BSN, RN • Elizabeth Higgens BSN, RN • Ellen Yeon Kim BSN, RNC-NIC • Natalie Kumar BSN, RN • Susanne Kushnerick BSN, RNC-NIC • Rebecca Ashley Llyod BSN, RN • Asiah Major BSN, RN • Ashley Malveaux Harris BSN, RN • Emily Mayher BSN, RN • Talya Mayman BSN, CPN • Carmen Mazyck BSN, NTMNC • Jessica McBride BSN, RNC-NIC • Sophie Meyer BSN, RN • Caroline Mihalovic BSN, RNC-NIC • Julia Moon BSN, RN • Cindy Osodo BSN, RN • Elizabeth Tirrell Papa BSN, RN • Katherine Phillipps BSN, RNC-NIC • Susan Reed BSN, RN • Olivia Scarano BSN, RN • Rosslyn Scott BSN, RN • Elaine Sheppard BSN, RN • Jordanna Ellen Smith BSN, RN • Logan Chanel Stein BSN, RN • Madeleine Stevens BSN, RN • Emily Sullivan BSN, RN • Elizabeth Thomas BSN, RN • Selena Toller BSN, RNC-NIC • Felicidad Tuason BSN, RN • Clara Turner BSN, RN • Aimee Vaughn MSN, RNC-NIC, CNNIC, CELBW • Mary-Frances Winn BSN, RN
This extraordinary group of caregivers demonstrated unwavering compassion, teamwork, and innovation while caring for one of our most critically ill patients, a baby born at just 22 weeks' gestation. Today, that tiny patient has grown into a strong, curious, and social 6-month-old and is preparing to be discharged home.
This is a testament not only to medical expertise but also to the human connection this team fosters. During her NICU stay, the baby's mother was simultaneously facing her own battle with an aggressive cancer. Despite her declining health, the NICU staff made it their mission to ensure she could bond with her daughter. When she was too sick to visit the NICU, the team, which always included a fellow/PA, a respiratory therapist, and a nurse, would carefully transport the baby in her isolette, on oxygen support, to the mother's hospital room.
These visits created special moments of love, touch, and connection between mother and child that would not have been possible without the team's dedication, creativity, and support. The team would also do things like deliver pictures of the baby to the mother's hospital room with sweet notes to spark joy in such a difficult time. When her mother sadly passed away, the NICU staff went above and beyond to support this family during an unimaginably difficult time.
Everyone came together and raised funds to purchase developmental toys to enrich the baby's growth well beyond her NICU stay, and also contributed to a GoFundMe that a family member started that will serve as a trust fund to support her future. Recognizing the importance of preparing her support system at home, the staff provided hands-on education to her father, grandmother, and Spanish-speaking nanny. Through multiple classes, both in English and Spanish, each caregiver was empowered with the knowledge and confidence to care for this fragile infant as she transitions home.
This story completely exemplifies the MedStar SPIRIT values: Service through the tireless commitment to both patient and family; Patient First in ensuring the babys health and developmental needs were always prioritized; Integrity in honoring the mothers wishes; Respect in the way they cared for the entire family unit; Innovation in finding safe ways to bring the baby to her mother; and Teamwork in how physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and all of the ancillary staff united around one shared goal to give a family precious time together and set the child up for a bright future.
The NICU team did far more than provide excellent clinical care; they created moments of meaning, dignity, and love that will forever impact this family. Their compassion and commitment are the essence of what the DAISY Award represents.
This is a testament not only to medical expertise but also to the human connection this team fosters. During her NICU stay, the baby's mother was simultaneously facing her own battle with an aggressive cancer. Despite her declining health, the NICU staff made it their mission to ensure she could bond with her daughter. When she was too sick to visit the NICU, the team, which always included a fellow/PA, a respiratory therapist, and a nurse, would carefully transport the baby in her isolette, on oxygen support, to the mother's hospital room.
These visits created special moments of love, touch, and connection between mother and child that would not have been possible without the team's dedication, creativity, and support. The team would also do things like deliver pictures of the baby to the mother's hospital room with sweet notes to spark joy in such a difficult time. When her mother sadly passed away, the NICU staff went above and beyond to support this family during an unimaginably difficult time.
Everyone came together and raised funds to purchase developmental toys to enrich the baby's growth well beyond her NICU stay, and also contributed to a GoFundMe that a family member started that will serve as a trust fund to support her future. Recognizing the importance of preparing her support system at home, the staff provided hands-on education to her father, grandmother, and Spanish-speaking nanny. Through multiple classes, both in English and Spanish, each caregiver was empowered with the knowledge and confidence to care for this fragile infant as she transitions home.
This story completely exemplifies the MedStar SPIRIT values: Service through the tireless commitment to both patient and family; Patient First in ensuring the babys health and developmental needs were always prioritized; Integrity in honoring the mothers wishes; Respect in the way they cared for the entire family unit; Innovation in finding safe ways to bring the baby to her mother; and Teamwork in how physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and all of the ancillary staff united around one shared goal to give a family precious time together and set the child up for a bright future.
The NICU team did far more than provide excellent clinical care; they created moments of meaning, dignity, and love that will forever impact this family. Their compassion and commitment are the essence of what the DAISY Award represents.
Thank you for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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