Rebecca Reid
June 2025
Rebecca
Reid
,
RN
NICU
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore
,
MD
United States
They are my confidantes with whom I voice all of my fears, my steady place when providers rotate, my sounding boards, and my medical translators.
I want to ensure that my nomination is received for the following nurses: Kira Robinson & Becca Reid. I owe them a debt of gratitude for what they have done and continue to do for my baby, who is on Day 71 of a long-term NICU stay.
Kira Robinson and Becca Reid are the dream team when it comes to NICU nursing. Their nursing styles are yin and yang, but complement each other in ways that only a mom/family in this situation can appreciate.
After being here 70 days and counting for the care of my baby, J, born at 27 weeks and 2 days, at only 13.1oz, and who has overcome 3 surgeries to date and a 4th scheduled related to NEC, I do not know what I would do without these two. They are my confidantes with whom I voice all of my fears, my steady place when providers rotate, my sounding boards, and my medical translators. For my daughter, J, they are her first line of defense when things go awry, they are her watchwomen keeping an eye on her health and development, her biggest advocates within the greater care team, her cheerleaders celebrating each milestone, and her “aunties.”
There are many ways, big and small, that each of these women has demonstrated their deservingness of a DAISY Award. Kira’s knowledge of nursing techniques and resources is impressive. She is constantly advocating for J’s care. Most recently, J had several days of sub-optimal weight gain. So, Kira pushed for refeeding of her ostomy output through her mucus fistula. Kira was the first care professional to educate me on the ability to do this and the impact it could have. It didn’t appear to be considered by the provider prior to Kira raising it. Since doing refeedings, J’s weight has improved tremendously and is putting her in better shape for her upcoming ostomy reversal surgery. This is one example of how Kira does her job with patient-focused excellence. On a lighter note, Kira also brings levity to the heaviness of the NICU with the various crafts she has done to bring life and love into J’s room.
Becca has gone above and beyond in terms of establishing communication lines by taking my multiple calls and finding creative ways to ensure that J hears our voices. Night shift is when my anxiety creeps in, as J’s first of many emergency surgeries took place in the dead of night. Night brings about a certain unease, but I always sleep well when Becca is on shift. Becca answers my middle-of-the-night calls and spends sometimes 30 minutes walking me through the information communicated with me earlier in the day, the status of J that night, and the discussions that will happen in morning rounds, where we game plan what we should advocate for or concerns to raise.
Becca has also allowed my 3-year-old to develop a routine that includes saying goodnight to her sister, J. Becca puts us on speakerphone so we can pray for and talk to J with consistency. These small acts increase the ability for my entire family to communicate with our NICU baby, start introducing her to our nightly family routines, and help us all engage in acts of faith as a family unit. These small gestures represent something so important for us.
These are just a few examples of how these amazing nurses have supported us during an extended NICU stay filled with some unexpected complications. Becca’s knowledge and experience as a preceptor complement Kira’s knowledge and skillset. Collectively, their dedication to nursing, to patients, and to families as a whole has made our stay as easy as can be under the circumstances. I always know that when one is on shift and hands off to the other, that J is in hands as safe as my own.
Kira Robinson and Becca Reid are the dream team when it comes to NICU nursing. Their nursing styles are yin and yang, but complement each other in ways that only a mom/family in this situation can appreciate.
After being here 70 days and counting for the care of my baby, J, born at 27 weeks and 2 days, at only 13.1oz, and who has overcome 3 surgeries to date and a 4th scheduled related to NEC, I do not know what I would do without these two. They are my confidantes with whom I voice all of my fears, my steady place when providers rotate, my sounding boards, and my medical translators. For my daughter, J, they are her first line of defense when things go awry, they are her watchwomen keeping an eye on her health and development, her biggest advocates within the greater care team, her cheerleaders celebrating each milestone, and her “aunties.”
There are many ways, big and small, that each of these women has demonstrated their deservingness of a DAISY Award. Kira’s knowledge of nursing techniques and resources is impressive. She is constantly advocating for J’s care. Most recently, J had several days of sub-optimal weight gain. So, Kira pushed for refeeding of her ostomy output through her mucus fistula. Kira was the first care professional to educate me on the ability to do this and the impact it could have. It didn’t appear to be considered by the provider prior to Kira raising it. Since doing refeedings, J’s weight has improved tremendously and is putting her in better shape for her upcoming ostomy reversal surgery. This is one example of how Kira does her job with patient-focused excellence. On a lighter note, Kira also brings levity to the heaviness of the NICU with the various crafts she has done to bring life and love into J’s room.
Becca has gone above and beyond in terms of establishing communication lines by taking my multiple calls and finding creative ways to ensure that J hears our voices. Night shift is when my anxiety creeps in, as J’s first of many emergency surgeries took place in the dead of night. Night brings about a certain unease, but I always sleep well when Becca is on shift. Becca answers my middle-of-the-night calls and spends sometimes 30 minutes walking me through the information communicated with me earlier in the day, the status of J that night, and the discussions that will happen in morning rounds, where we game plan what we should advocate for or concerns to raise.
Becca has also allowed my 3-year-old to develop a routine that includes saying goodnight to her sister, J. Becca puts us on speakerphone so we can pray for and talk to J with consistency. These small acts increase the ability for my entire family to communicate with our NICU baby, start introducing her to our nightly family routines, and help us all engage in acts of faith as a family unit. These small gestures represent something so important for us.
These are just a few examples of how these amazing nurses have supported us during an extended NICU stay filled with some unexpected complications. Becca’s knowledge and experience as a preceptor complement Kira’s knowledge and skillset. Collectively, their dedication to nursing, to patients, and to families as a whole has made our stay as easy as can be under the circumstances. I always know that when one is on shift and hands off to the other, that J is in hands as safe as my own.