July 2026 Honoree
Ellie Hietpas, BSN, RN, RNC NIC
While in the hospital, our daughter contracted Aspergillosis. Ellie was the first to notice a change in her skin and was immediately on top of investigating and calling in all of the appropriate team members.
When we couldn’t figure out what it was and it worsened, Ellie was relentless in evaluating her and doing everything she could to help her get comfortable. There was one night while we were still brainstorming that I mentioned that the humidity had been turned off in her isolate and that maybe that could be a cause. Ellie took that suggestion and brought it up in rounds as a possible idea.
Not only did she bring it up, but she made sure to give the credit for the idea to me. Something so simple that so many people wouldn’t have even thought to do, but Ellie is kind and humble in her vast knowledge of these babies - always giving the glory to those around her.
Although she was kind, she was brave in her advocacy for our daughter. She was never afraid to argue her case to her team or even us, if we had different opinions. But her advocacy was never forceful or unkind; her ability to balance a boldness in opinion while also truly hearing out anyone opposing her is a skill I had never seen before her.
There aren’t enough words to express her impact on our family. Our daughter's primaries were the reason we felt safe and comfortable leaving our baby there.
When we couldn’t figure out what it was and it worsened, Ellie was relentless in evaluating her and doing everything she could to help her get comfortable. There was one night while we were still brainstorming that I mentioned that the humidity had been turned off in her isolate and that maybe that could be a cause. Ellie took that suggestion and brought it up in rounds as a possible idea.
Not only did she bring it up, but she made sure to give the credit for the idea to me. Something so simple that so many people wouldn’t have even thought to do, but Ellie is kind and humble in her vast knowledge of these babies - always giving the glory to those around her.
Although she was kind, she was brave in her advocacy for our daughter. She was never afraid to argue her case to her team or even us, if we had different opinions. But her advocacy was never forceful or unkind; her ability to balance a boldness in opinion while also truly hearing out anyone opposing her is a skill I had never seen before her.
There aren’t enough words to express her impact on our family. Our daughter's primaries were the reason we felt safe and comfortable leaving our baby there.
Thank you, Ellie, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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