April 2026 Honoree
Mara Levy, MSN, RNC-NIC
We are honored to nominate Mara, an extraordinary nurse who cared for our daughter during her three-month NICU stay that changed our lives forever.
Before our daughter was even born, Mara showed us the kind of nurse—and person—she is. When I went into labor at 28 weeks, her sister texted Mara, who took care of our niece for 6 weeks in the NICU, to let her know I was at the hospital and delivering. Mara immediately signed up to be our primary NICU nurse. That simple but powerful act meant everything to us. Even before we met Mara, she was already advocating for our daughter and making sure she would have consistent, dedicated care from the very start.
From the moment our daughter arrived, Mara brought calm to an experience filled with fear and uncertainty. The NICU can be overwhelming, but Mara made it feel a little less intimidating. She cared for our daughter with incredible skill and attention, anticipating needs and ensuring she received the best possible treatment. What stood out most was how deeply she cared. Mara treated her as if she were her own—celebrating every milestone, no matter how small, and sharing in our joy and relief with each bit of progress. She noticed the little things, advocated fiercely for her, and always made decisions with both expertise and heart.
Just as importantly, she cared for us as parents. She patiently answered our questions, explained everything in ways we could understand, and supported us through some of the hardest days of our lives. She never made us feel like just another family in the NICU. Because of her, we felt seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.
Over these three months, Mara became so much more than our daughter’s nurse. She became a source of strength, comfort, and hope when we needed it most. The bond she formed with our family is something we will never forget.
Mara truly embodies everything the DAISY Award stands for. Her compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to her patients and their families make her more than deserving of this recognition. We will be forever grateful for the love and care Mara gave to our daughter and to us.
Before our daughter was even born, Mara showed us the kind of nurse—and person—she is. When I went into labor at 28 weeks, her sister texted Mara, who took care of our niece for 6 weeks in the NICU, to let her know I was at the hospital and delivering. Mara immediately signed up to be our primary NICU nurse. That simple but powerful act meant everything to us. Even before we met Mara, she was already advocating for our daughter and making sure she would have consistent, dedicated care from the very start.
From the moment our daughter arrived, Mara brought calm to an experience filled with fear and uncertainty. The NICU can be overwhelming, but Mara made it feel a little less intimidating. She cared for our daughter with incredible skill and attention, anticipating needs and ensuring she received the best possible treatment. What stood out most was how deeply she cared. Mara treated her as if she were her own—celebrating every milestone, no matter how small, and sharing in our joy and relief with each bit of progress. She noticed the little things, advocated fiercely for her, and always made decisions with both expertise and heart.
Just as importantly, she cared for us as parents. She patiently answered our questions, explained everything in ways we could understand, and supported us through some of the hardest days of our lives. She never made us feel like just another family in the NICU. Because of her, we felt seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.
Over these three months, Mara became so much more than our daughter’s nurse. She became a source of strength, comfort, and hope when we needed it most. The bond she formed with our family is something we will never forget.
Mara truly embodies everything the DAISY Award stands for. Her compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to her patients and their families make her more than deserving of this recognition. We will be forever grateful for the love and care Mara gave to our daughter and to us.
Thank you, Mara, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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