As we say in our unit “BABIES FIRST”—this is just what Jennifer Perkins does—she puts babies first. As a staff nurse, Jennifer has been involved in the clinical care and advancement in the NICU at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital. As a direct caregiver, Jennifer assures a safe place to practice. She is involved in many quality initiatives that impact the delivery and care of babies. She consistency steps forward as a staff nurse to initiate committees and changes in the care of families.

She has authored a parent handbook—working with past NICU families—to provide a book that informs them of “our” unit’s processes. Jennifer also was the initiator of a parent “favorite.” That is the bedside binder, a journal and teaching tool for each and every family. It personalizes the care and education. It keeps the parents informed. The journal also allows the parents to write notes to their baby as well as the staff to write notes and journal. It is a great communication tool—and this has kept the parent informed. They have been changing elements for our unit (examples can be shared).

Jennifer also chairs the unit’s Clinical Excellence Committee, reviewing multidisciplinary practices. Jen is seen as a role model in care. She has high expectations for others as well. She is a mentor and coach.

The unit participates in the Vermont Oxford Collaborative and Jen has taken on this initiative. With each and every collaborative, changes are presented to the leadership team for initiation of improved practices. Process improvement projects have resulted. Jen participated in CANN and actively attends the meetings and presentations—always bringing back what she has learned.

Jen challenges herself and others. “What more can we do?” is always the question. Jen is known to be the “go to” person in the unit—informally. When a known new procedure is planned—Jen plans—then presents. She is always looking for a new and better way, based on evidenced based practices.

Jen has obtained her Master’s degree, has been certified and is a Clin IV level in our Nursing Advancement Program in Advocate, the highest level obtained, and one of the first to do so, always leading the way—by example.

Her direct impact is seen daily in her practice as well as her volunteering for the annual March of Dimes walk. Always there with her husband, she volunteers for the Share Program at Good Samaritan, as well as outside volunteer work for the Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Organization.
Yearly she attends the NANN conference as well as the developmental NICU conference, just to mention a few. She has presented a poster at NANN this past year in Las Vegas. She is also preparing for certification in developmental care in the NICU.

Jennifer gives of herself endlessly. She is a valuable member of our team and the neonatal nursing profession as a whole. She puts “babies first.” Jen is there to support families when something goes wrong—sharing best practices with her peers and the healthcare team—always focusing on the improvement of birth outcomes and care of the premature and/or sick baby.