Julie Riedel
March 2016
Julie
Riedel
,
RN
NICU
Children's Hospital of Orange County
Orange
,
CA
United States
Julie's true calling came with the development of the Small Baby Unit (SBU), an area dedicated to the care of the extremely premature infant. There she has become an example of a true authentic leader.
Julie has borne witness to the struggle that these patients have to survive and has determinedly advocated for them. She educates and prepares the families from day one to become the best that they can be, encouraging them to be successful and autonomous, especially when the thought of leaving the "safety net" of the NICU is so scary. She has walked alongside the parents in their NICU journey, hugging them when they go home with their baby, and crying with them when they leave for the last time without their child. Her compassion and empathy for the parents' experience allows her to make instant connections, fostering the family's trust in her care.
Julie leads others by example in her personal approach to patient care but also as a team member. Not only is she a member of the SBU Resource team, but she leads the Developmental Resource team for this area, collaborating with Mindy Morris, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and the occupational, physical and speech therapists. This group utilizes evidence based practices which addresses the neurodevelopmental needs of the premature infant. The group focuses on creating an environment which is conducive to fostering developmental growth such as minimizing noise, excessive light and other sensory experiences. In support of this effort, Julie has coordinated multiple sessions on the weekends where volunteers personally sew covers which block out light for the tops of the isolettes, so that these tiny patients, some weighing less than 1 pound, can effectively rest, grow and become strong.
Julie has assisted in the development of the feeding guideline, championing the cue based feeding protocol, and is a content developer and reviewer of the SBU Core Curriculum guidelines. There are so many more things that Julie has accomplished, however the humble personality of this extraordinary nurse has delayed the recognition that Julie Riedel very truly deserves in this DAISY Award. She exemplifies Compassion, Excellence, Dignity and Caring in her every day care. Julie gives this to us with all of her heart.
Julie has borne witness to the struggle that these patients have to survive and has determinedly advocated for them. She educates and prepares the families from day one to become the best that they can be, encouraging them to be successful and autonomous, especially when the thought of leaving the "safety net" of the NICU is so scary. She has walked alongside the parents in their NICU journey, hugging them when they go home with their baby, and crying with them when they leave for the last time without their child. Her compassion and empathy for the parents' experience allows her to make instant connections, fostering the family's trust in her care.
Julie leads others by example in her personal approach to patient care but also as a team member. Not only is she a member of the SBU Resource team, but she leads the Developmental Resource team for this area, collaborating with Mindy Morris, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and the occupational, physical and speech therapists. This group utilizes evidence based practices which addresses the neurodevelopmental needs of the premature infant. The group focuses on creating an environment which is conducive to fostering developmental growth such as minimizing noise, excessive light and other sensory experiences. In support of this effort, Julie has coordinated multiple sessions on the weekends where volunteers personally sew covers which block out light for the tops of the isolettes, so that these tiny patients, some weighing less than 1 pound, can effectively rest, grow and become strong.
Julie has assisted in the development of the feeding guideline, championing the cue based feeding protocol, and is a content developer and reviewer of the SBU Core Curriculum guidelines. There are so many more things that Julie has accomplished, however the humble personality of this extraordinary nurse has delayed the recognition that Julie Riedel very truly deserves in this DAISY Award. She exemplifies Compassion, Excellence, Dignity and Caring in her every day care. Julie gives this to us with all of her heart.