Lori Estep is a seasoned NICU nurse who surpasses the compassion and skill normally considered with standard neonatal nursing care. While all NICU nurses are dedicated to their job, this nurse stands out. She has worked for our unit for 23 years. During those years, she has demonstrated outstanding patient care with extraordinary bedside skills. She works as a nurse preceptor and helped to establish our very first Admit Team as an original team member.
Her compassion penetrates well beyond the bedside. She has the amazing ability to connect with families. She is a strong advocate for her tiny patients and skilled with the beautiful ability to maintain relationships long after a patient is discharged home. One example is a sweet baby girl from a few years back. She took care of this particular patient for many difficult, exhausting days in NICU. When her tiny patient was discharged home, this infant's mother faced many challenges with home care for her sweet girl. Since Lori had established a beautiful rapport with this mom, she was the natural home resource for this family. This relationship has blossomed and even now, a few years later, she is still in contact with this family and provides nursing advice and 'babysitting' on her own time. She has spent countless hours with this family in friendship and genuine love for her tiny patient. She has a big heart!
Lori is unassuming and doesn't talk much about her extraordinary generosity toward this family. I think it's time we share her story of extraordinary compassion and tireless generosity for this sweet baby girl and her family.