When our twin girls were admitted to the NICU, we were filled with worry, uncertainty, and doubt. We asked hundreds of questions, spent hours sitting at their bedside, and left broken-hearted each evening knowing that they wouldn’t be coming home with us. We knew, however, that they were in the best hands with one very special nurse. The first time Anna was assigned to care for our girls, I knew very quickly that I wanted to ask her to be one of our primary nurses. She was patient, understanding, thoughtful, and brilliant. She was everything we could have asked for and more as an advocate and caregiver for our babies. Anna was a calming presence during those long, difficult days. She provided us peace when we felt like everything was out of control. Her gentle demeanor and reassuring words brought a calmness to our hearts when everything felt overwhelming. We knew our babies were receiving exceptional care when they were with Anna. She didn’t just care for our babies—she cared for us as a family.

Anna went above and beyond to make our NICU experience special. She listened to me recount my birth story dozens of times, helped me advocate for our girls and their needs, and showed true dedication to her work every single day. Anna created beautiful milestone cards for our girls, marking moments like their first bath and their first time wearing clothes. She celebrated me on Mother’s Day and lifted my spirits when I wanted more than anything to be celebrating at home with my brand-new baby girls. Those cards weren’t just keepsakes—they were symbols of hope during a time when progress felt slow and uncertain. I keep them on my desk today as a reminder of the love and dedication she showed us, and how far our babies have come. These cards are treasures that will always hold a special place in our hearts.

What made Anna extraordinary was her ability to anticipate all our needs ahead of time. She would seamlessly juggle caring for multiple patients, consoling and educating families, and providing an unmatched level of tenderness and care for the most fragile humans. She would peek into our girls’ isolettes and make quiet comments under her breath about how they had once again wiggled out of their swaddles. She would gently pass them to me so I could hold them skin-to-skin, knowing how much those small moments mattered. If I showed up in the middle of a feed, she’d promptly encourage me to take her seat and finish feeding our daughters. She spoke softly to our girls during care times, reassuring them as if they could understand every word. When alarms sounded, and our hearts raced, Anna calmly explained what was happening, turning panic into understanding and providing us with clarity and confidence.

She also cared for us as parents in ways that went far beyond her clinical duties. We bonded over the shared chaos of having a toddler at home, and those conversations reminded me that I was never alone. She also supported me on my breastfeeding journey and encouraged me when it felt like our girls would never figure it out. I’m more than seven months into my breastfeeding and pumping journey with our twins, and I know I wouldn’t have made it this far without her motivation in those early days. When exhaustion and helplessness threatened to take over, Anna found ways to make us smile—whether through a kind word, a funny story, asking if I needed my pump parts washed, or simply acknowledging how hard this was and that we were doing our best.

Anna embodies everything the DAISY Award represents—compassion, excellence, and thoughtfulness for her patients and their families. We are so grateful for her care and the comfort she brought to our family during such a vulnerable time. She truly made a lasting impact on our lives, and we believe she deserves to be recognized for her extraordinary kindness and dedication.