Julie Hayden, BSN, RN

Our sweet baby boy was born and spent his first week of life in the NICU at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital after experiencing HIE during birth. During one of the most difficult and heartbreaking seasons of our lives, Julie was one of the nurses who helped carry us through.

Julie cared for him during several day shifts, and from the beginning, it was clear that she provided not only exceptional medical care, but deeply compassionate, personal care as well. She brought a calm, steady presence into an environment that often felt overwhelming and uncertain. Julie cared for Owen as more than a patient. She cared for him as our son.

One moment that stands out was when he went for his first MRI. As parents, watching him leave for such an important test felt incredibly heavy. Julie was with him, offering comfort to him as they wheeled away, but it was way more comforting to us knowing she was with him. She shared with us later that she held his hand, which meant so very much to us.

Julie also gave us moments of levity when we needed them most. The first time I held him—on day five of his life, after his night nurse had placed him in my arms—Julie had just started her day shift. After holding him for a while, I suddenly noticed something wet on my arm. Panicked and worried that something was wrong with one of his many cords or lines, I urgently called Julie into the room to help. With her calm and kindness, she quickly reassured me that nothing was wrong—it was simply my milk leaking. We laughed, and I treasure the memory.

Throughout my baby boy's stay, Julie helped steady us. She answered our medical questions thoughtfully, helped us process updates from the doctors, and consistently checked in on us not just as parents, but as people navigating immense fear and heartbreak.

Julie was also with us on one of the hardest days of our boy's life—when he was emergently transferred from Peyton Manning to Riley. That day was heavy, chaotic, and heartbreaking. Julie helped prepare him for transport with professionalism and care, ensuring he was ready for transfer while also helping us navigate the emotional weight of the moment. She carefully helped us gather his belongings, including his arts and crafts and keepsakes, making sure those precious items made it home with us.

Even after he left Peyton Manning, Julie’s care for our family did not end. She attended our baby boy's funeral, a gesture that meant more to our family than words can fully express. Her presence there reflected the depth of her compassion and the genuine connection she formed with our son and our family.

Julie embodies the unique and vital role nurses play in healthcare. She combined expert clinical care with compassion, gentleness, emotional presence, and grace under pressure. In moments of fear, she brought steadiness. In moments of sadness, she brought comfort. And in moments when everything felt unbearably heavy, she even brought laughter.

Julie Hayden is forever woven into the precious memories we have of our son. We are deeply grateful for the profound difference she made in our baby boy's life and in ours.