When my newborn son was brought to the NICU, struggling to breathe, I was terrified and overwhelmed at his unexpected health problems. The sight of this tiny infant surrounded by tubes, wires and beeping machinery was awful. Fortunately, the nurses of the NICU made it better. One in particular impressed me with her compassion,humor and sharp clinical skills.

Irene Schultz was my son's nurse for several days. I hated leaving him in the NICU, but when she was his nurse, it felt like I was leaving him in the hands of family. She helped me pass the long days by his bedside by chatting and sharing funny stories about her grandkids. She showed empathy in every way, making sure I had a comfortable spot and a footrest for when I nursed the baby, and reminding me that I had just had a c-section and had to take care of myself, too.

Along with her kindness, she was swift to respond whenever a monitor showed signs of trouble. Her insight into his health was always clear and focused during grand rounds, where she helped shape his care plan with the rest of the health care team. And it wasn't just my family - she showed true affection for all of her patients. Not even the most inconsolable preemie seemed to daunt her positive humor and patience. She talked gently to her tiny patients as she fed and cared for them, providing them essential human contact at that most critical time in their new lives.

While all of the nurses in the NICU are extraordinary, Irene exemplifies the best of the many skills, both clinical and personal, that they all possess -- and in addition she always seemed willing to help out her colleagues and bring good cheer to the unit. She personified the ideal of treating every patient like your most beloved family member, and I will always be grateful.