Towauna Williams – Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital
Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital
Nominated by Tanya Trout
“I relocated to Chicagoland area after I was told to “terminate my pregnancy” due to the fatality risk and the lack of medical expertise at my local hospital. Which is how I arrived at Northwestern. Serene is the word I keep using to describe my birth experience but Ruby was born early, small and with liquid in her lungs. Nobody plans on being a NICU Mom and my high-risk pregnancy was always focused on me. Once I was medically discharged from Labor and Delivery my recovery started in the NICU. It was with the compassion and support I received from Towauna Williams that kept me going. I will be a single parent, doing this for the first time and feeling alone, except for her. I can only assume her years of experience attracted her to me, she must have known I needed someone like her to educate me and give me the confidence to understand and know how to care for a premie. Her leadership role was obvious in the tone she set when she was present in the corridors of the NICUnit. I would come to the NICU every day, early in the morning and find Towauna humming to the babies. Her calm cadence and demeanor set not only them at ease. My Ruby would already be changed, cleaned and wrapped like a gift waiting for me to snuggle. She was there to make sure I went to lunch and didn’t stay too late. In the beginning I could not be removed from Ruby’s room but knowing Towauna was there gave me the solace and confidence to take some time away for my own self care. It was during the days in NICU that I learned the necessary techniques and tips for taking care of an infant which I use at home now. Towauna had an instinct for knowing when I needed help and when I needed to fumble through something. But importantly she gave me these opportunities to learn for myself. Towauna became my support person during a time when I had to make decisions about the health of my daughter. When the doctors made rounds in the mornings she was always there. It was just me learning, processing and making decisions for my delicate little girl and I often needed her to help me in making the best decision. She would call back the doctors, listen to me talk it out or explain and review Ruby’s medical history. Towauna had my back when I had no one else. She continues to check in on us today. Yes, probably even the day you are reading this. Towauna has dedicated thirty-seven years to Nursing and thirty-six and a half of them have been at Prentice Hospital. She gives not only to her fellow staff, families and babies she takes the time to participate for the cause, playing in the Pay It Forward Ping Pong tournament for this very Jackson Chance Foundation, only to give back the proceeds. It gives me pleasure to nominate someone whose contributions, compassion, leadership and dedication deserves some recognition herself.”
Meaghan Wolter – Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
“Meaghan has been our primary NICU nurse for the last 4 months. Our little man came to us 2 months early and with a long list of diagnosis. Needless to say, these last 4 months have been a rollercoaster. Meaghan has been our light during these dark times. The days that she is working are always better than those she is not. Her kindness and care toward our little guy is overwhelming, yet she still has room in her heart to be a friend and counselor to us as parents. Her ability to know the right thing to say to help us through a moment is amazing. She’s able to be honest and realistic while also filling us with hope. She also knows the right time to come in with a fun distracting story about her life outside of work. Her advocacy toward our son is amazing to see. Her familiarity with his history helps her be a huge help during those times when decisions need to be made quickly and she’s always eager to voice her thoughts when they are helpful. Her opinions are so important to us, as it’s so very clear that everything she does is in our guy’s best interest. Her hands on approach puts our little guy at ease. It’s made very clear by the way he stares into her eyes and breathes a little easier. She has made our stay at the NICU more than something we need to survive . She provides learning opportunities every chance she gets and provides great comfort for the three of us. I truly can’t imagine getting through these times without her. I think she deserves a parade in her name, and she certainly deserves to with this award.”
Nominated by Claire Mackey
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“Our beautiful grandson was born on Angel Day, 11/11/21. The day after birth, he had surgery at Lurie which would be the start of his 4 month NICU stay. Luke is our first grandson, and we live 2,000 miles away. So, knowing that Luke and his mommy and daddy were receiving such great care from this angel nurse, put our minds at ease. Hearing about her interactions with Luke, gave us peace. Meghan, you truly are an angel on earth – your heart and soul make you the perfect recipient for this award. God bless you. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Nominated by Patricia Mackey
