Jennifer Sirls has set the standard in the NICU in upholding and exceeding the values of being a truly exceptional nurse in her ten years of practice. She shows these values every day at the bedside to her patients, families, and coworkers and in her tremendous effort to transform the bereavement care that our NICU has to offer.

Death in the NICU is untimely and unpredictable and is devastating to a family who has to leave the hospital with empty arms. Jennifer saw this loss regularly and made it her mission to transform our bereavement care and shift the focus to the patient and their family to celebrate life. She founded our NICU bereavement program in 2017 and named the program Evelyn's Embrace in honor of a neonatal nurse who lost her daughter at 19 weeks. Since its creation, this program has accomplished its goal of giving honor and legacy to the lives of so many lost too soon. Jennifer has collaborated with our music therapist, unit chaplain, child life therapist, NICU team, Bioethicist, and Palliative Care team to create a united mission that is family-centered and comprehensive, including creating hands and foot molds with the family and siblings, offering religious and emotional support to families, and offering heartbeat recordings to families so they can leave the hospital with a heartbeat bear so they don't leave with empty arms, but with a piece of their child with them instead.

In addition to being a leader of this program, she is a constant face of compassion and professionalism in every death that she is honored to be a part of. Many family members are often so thankful to Jennifer for the kindness, compassion, and sensitivity that she has shown to their child and their family in such a difficult time in their lives. Various nurses who have not experienced death have also remarked that Jennifer exhibits a unique compassion for these families undergoing loss and has been grateful to Jennifer as she is always willing to step in to help create a lasting memory for the families.

In addition, Jennifer has mentored so many new nurses (and more experienced nurses) and given them the confidence to also be an exceptional nurse and the light families need in their darkest hour. Jennifer continues to go above and beyond in her efforts to continue to educate new nurses in the NICU nurse residency program every three months on our NICU bereavement care so that they can be familiar with the process. Jennifer has also shown great leadership in moving her bereavement program into the L&D unit so infants born still may also have their lives celebrated as well. Our entire culture and practice surrounding honoring life in the NICU has been transformed because of Jennifer. Jennifer is an exceptional nurse, and she has created an incredible legacy for so many. Jennifer, you are an extraordinary nurse and an inspiration to us all! Congratulations, you make us proud!

Note: This is Jennifer's 2nd DAISY Award!