Katie Zepper, BSN, RN, RNC

My daughter was flown from our hometown of Grand Rapids, MN, to Sanford Fargo hours after being born. By the time I arrived in Fargo, she had already been admitted to the NICU. When I reached her room, I saw my daughter hooked up to IV tubes, EEG lines, an internal body temperature probe, among other pieces of medical equipment. I was scared beyond measure and had no idea what the next days or weeks would bring.

Thankfully, Katie was by her side, consoling her and taking care of her. I spent the night in her room alone, my wife still back at the hospital in my hometown. Katie didn't know it, but she wasn't just taking care of my daughter that night; she was also taking care of me. I had a million thoughts running through my head, each one more terrifying than the last. I didn't know why this was happening or what any of it meant. Katie's knowledge, confidence, and gentle touch helped alleviate my worries.

I did not know it at the time, but Katie would continue to take care of my daughter the entire time she was at the NICU, whether she was her assigned nurse or not. Katie would check on her anytime she had a free moment on her shift, took Polaroid pictures of her overnight to show us in the morning, wrote us notes and cards, and made posters to show it was her room to help make us feel more at home.

Katie would hand-select my daughter's bed sheets, bring us multiple outfit options, and spend extra time with her whenever she could. She would even stay after her shift had ended to chat with us, make sure we were okay and that she had everything needed to make it through the night.

Everything Katie did, from the time my wife and I came to the NICU to the moment we left, was done with patience, grace, and a personal touch that I know we would not have gotten anywhere else. I cannot fathom going through what we went through with any other nurse, especially my first night when I had more questions than answers. She gave us peace of mind with the care she provided, and a confidence that as long as she was taking care of our daughter, nothing bad would ever happen to her.

Katie personifies everything a nurse should be and stand for. I thank God every day that Katie was my daughter's nurse on her first night, and am so thankful to have had the chance to meet her. Our daughter will grow up hearing stories of the incredible nurse Katie who took such amazing care of her.

This brief story does not do justice the lasting impact Katie's actions have had on my wife and I, but I wholeheartedly believe she is worthy of receiving the DAISY Award for everything she did.