We had traveled from Chicago to Amelia Island to attend a wedding when our son was born via emergency C-section at just 31 weeks of gestation. As healthcare professionals (I’m a CRNA and my wife is a nurse educator), we’re no strangers to hospitals or critical care — but when it came to caring for our own 4-pound premature baby, we were completely terrified and overwhelmed.

My wife and I would like to recognize Lori for the exceptional support and care she provided during the final stretch of our son’s 34-day NICU stay at UF Health Jacksonville. As any NICU parent knows, the experience is a rollercoaster — a mix of fear, hope, frustration, and waiting. By the time we approached discharge, we were emotionally and physically drained. Lori helped us navigate those final days with clarity, compassion, and encouragement. She helped us set realistic expectations, celebrate every small victory, and not stress over minor setbacks. Her ability to balance expert clinical care with genuine emotional support meant so much to us. More than anything, Lori gave us the confidence to take our son home and step into our roles as new parents outside the NICU. As a mother herself, she shared insights and advice that helped us understand how parenting a NICU baby is different — and how things would shift again once we were home.

Lori was instrumental in helping us transition from being NICU parents to simply being parents. Her thoughtful guidance and compassionate care helped us leave the hospital not just with our baby, but with confidence and a sense of preparedness. Lori is an outstanding nurse, and we are incredibly grateful for the role she played in our son’s journey. She truly embodies what the DAISY Award stands for.