Words cannot describe the pain of making the gut-wrenching decision to release your child from suffering and set them free.  My daughter was seven and a half months old and had spent her entire life in the NICU at Children's National when her father and I had to make the incredibly difficult decision to remove her breathing tube and make her comfortable while she passed away. We could not have taken this impossible but necessary step without the love, support, and counsel of her amazing NICU nurse, Julia Keenan.

Julia had cared for my daughter since she was three days old.  Julia knew my daughter's tendencies and mannerisms by heart.  She always knew how to fix her when something was going wrong, whether it was her position or a bad monitor reading.  She saw us through numerous holidays and special occasions and always went out of her way to add special touches for our family and make these occasions memorable.  Julia is a talented nurse; she has great technical skills, sound judgment, and good intuition.  But above all, I knew that she truly loved my daughter, and my husband and I trusted her completely.

The week that my daughter died was a blur of different faces and voices, but my memories of Julia are very clear. Julia was there to pick up the broken pieces of our hearts after we were told our daughter was not going to survive. Julia was there the Friday that we decided to remove our daughter's breathing tube, offering gentle advice and helpful perspective. Julia was there all day that day while my husband and I held our daughter and soaked in our final moments with her. Julia was there to capture a lock of hair, footprints and handprints, a recording of my daughter's heartbeat, and even vials of her blood for research. 

Julia was there when I couldn't bring myself to say that it was time. Julia understood immediately and helped put things in motion when I knew we needed to say goodbye but was too paralyzed by grief to call it. Julia voluntarily worked extended hours that day, late into the night, so that she could be there for us and for our daughter. Julia was there as our daughter took her last breaths in our arms and left this earth, tending to her like always, making sure she was comfortable and supporting my husband and me.  

Julia was there in so many ways after the passing. She thoughtfully sent us surprise cards in the mail for Mother's Day and Father's Day made from our daughter's footprints. She spoke at our daughter's funeral despite the fact that she is not a fan of public speaking. She remembers my daughter with me in so many different ways even to this day, five months later. Her love for and remembrance of my daughter has given me strength and helped me continue to heal.

This nomination can't do justice to the mark Julia has made on my own heart and to what she means to our family.  Please recognize this Extraordinary Nurse with a DAISY Award.