I'd like to nominate a fabulous NICU RN, Hannah, who demonstrated extraordinary caring and compassion to our baby, GM, and the entire family during a recent unanticipated admission to the NICU. GM was admitted on the night shift as a transfer from Sentara Leigh.

After an uneventful pregnancy, GM was born with undiagnosed chronic fetal anemia and an H&H of 6 and 20. He was shockingly pale and listless, with otherwise stable vital signs. It was quickly identified by our Neonatal Nurse Practitioner that a transfer was needed to administer a blood transfusion. The Transport Team quickly and efficiently brought GM to the NICU. Hannah was his admission RN as well as his nurse for the next 2 night shifts. The initial admission was quite stressful for the family (particularly a first-time Mom and Dad) as his diagnosis was so unexpected.

Mom had to stay at Sentara Leigh since she had just delivered, and I arrived shortly after the baby was admitted. Immediately upon arrival into the unit and meeting Hannah, I knew we were in good hands. Hannah was so calming and comforting, explaining everything she was doing as she was doing it, in essence, caring out loud. She answered all our questions about alarms, medications, and treatments thoroughly and patiently. She kept us up to date on his progress and was clear on the next steps and needed milestones for potential discharge.

Although GM decided to stay a little longer than we initially expected! Hannah is such an excellent example of why the DAISY Award was created: to recognize nurses who go the extra mile to care for patients and their families in a caring and compassionate manner. In the NICU the family is a significant part of the process as well, and I recognize that our family was a lot! Hannah took care of all of us! Thank you, Hannah, (and the entire CHKD team) for the excellent care provided to our special baby, GM .