Fran was our son's primary nurse for over 6 months in the NICU. Being a primary nurse for such a great length of time and for a baby who went through as much as H did was not easy, but Fran made it look effortless. One of the first nights that our son, H, was in the NICU after being born at 24 weeks gestation, Fran was his nurse. We were so appreciative of how she talked to and treated him like a child, not just a medical case. We desperately needed that when we were having a challenging time ourselves separating all the equipment, terms, alarms, and medical complexities from our sweet son. She sat down with me the first night I met her and comforted me, mother to mother-something not in her job description, but something that made such a difference in my comfort level and trust in those taking care of my child.

Fran is skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable, but is also loving and compassionate. We could trust that she would do all the things for H when we couldn't be there medically (advocating for him, bringing concerns to the attention of the providers, making quick decisions during situations) or otherwise (ensuring he got a soft blanket to lay his head on and Thomas the Train sheets for his bed, talking to him when he was awake, making sure his sound machine wasn't on for too long, and giving him a taste of a lollipop to celebrate Independence Day).

Not only did she do so much for H, but she also helped us navigate the different situations we faced as his parents. We were able to talk to her candidly about questions, scenarios, and concerns. She educated us, involved us, and encouraged us to be proactive in his care and medical decisions. More importantly, she reminded us to also simply just be his mom and dad (and do things like read books to him) because some days that is what he, and we, needed more than anything. Fran was involved in researching and implementing an intraventricular hemorrhage prevention initiative that has protected many babies, including H. That type of extra time and energy, outside of her daily tasks, to give babies the best care is what makes Fran an outstanding nurse.

We witnessed her go above and beyond in so many ways and are so thankful for all she did to give H the best care possible. We could never fully express our deep gratitude for Fran and the blessing she was to us during some of the hardest, confusing, hopeful, and joyous moments. Fran's outstanding care helped get H to where he is today, home! To his two sisters who had been eagerly awaiting his arrival and, when we brought him home, asked, "Where's Fran??"