Laura helped take care of my whole family while my twin daughters were in the NICU. E and N were born at 27 weeks and were extremely fragile. Laura primarily took care of N as she was more critical. Laura went above and beyond taking care of N. She knew and advocated for her to the best of her ability. She encouraged me and my husband to bond with N in the safest ways possible and let us know anything that she had concerns about.

After 20 days of fighting, my husband and I decided to withdraw care. Laura was our nurse the day we removed her from the ventilator. Laura had our families come up, encouraged memory-making activities, and photographed every moment we had left with our girls. I wanted E to be next to her sister one last time and I wanted to hold my babies together in my arms. Thanks to Laura and some of the other staff all of those things were able to safely happen.

Laura bought matching blankets and preemie outfits for E and N to wear as we had no clothes for them. N passed away in my arms shortly after she was removed from the ventilator. In the days following Laura cared for me. She sat and talked with me, made sure I ate, and helped keep me on a pumping schedule because E still needed me. Exactly one month after N passed away E went into septic shock. Laura was again our nurse. When I knew Laura was working, I felt relieved. I knew she would make sure E got the best care. Laura again stepped up and encouraged bonding, and self-care, and advocated for our daughter.

We are now at Riley's Children's Hospital due to E's complex medical problems, but the care Laura provided our whole entire family has continued to stick with me. I am forever grateful to her for not only caring for our daughters, but also for caring for me and my husband and helping us through what has easily been the worst days of our lives.