Owl Give Award

Do you know a NICU team member whose leadership and contributions have made a significant impact on his/her community?

Jackson Chance Foundation is proud to present the 10th Annual Owl Give Award sponsored by Reflection Window + Wall! This award offers patients, families, and other members of the community an opportunity to honor neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) team members everywhere and send them on an ALL-EXPENSE PAID VACATION! Let’s say “thank you” to these super-humans for their courage, compassion, and dedication to improving outcomes for these special babies and their families.

You are invited to fill out a short nomination form and include their story (500 word limit) about how the NICU team member impacted their life. Copies of family photos, videos or other supporting materials that highlight the nominee’s contribution are highly encouraged.

Logos of the Owl Give Award and Reflection Window + Wall

Group of people talking at an event; one woman wearing a polka dot dress and a button, a man using a smartphone, and another woman with her back to the camera.

Woman in a green polka dot dress holding a trophy shaped like an owl at a podium event.

Three people posing at an event, with a woman in the center holding a trophy featuring an owl. A sign in the background displays various logos and the text 'Ping Pong Ball.'

9th Award Winner

Whitney Benson, NICU Nurse
Northwestern Prentice Women's Hospital
Nominated by Katelyn and Andrew Kereiakes

"On June 1, 2024, our son B was born into this world at 24 weeks, weighing 1 lb 12oz. After a very unexpected premature birth, in addition to being first time parents, we were quickly overwhelmed with a range of emotions & shock, fear, confusion. On day of life two, Whitney came into our lives and with her presence, we were immediately overcome with a sense of comfort and confidence in our son’s care. She has an uncanny ability to make B, and his parents, calm and lighten the tense mood while administering care in a gentle fashion. She takes the time to explain everything, welcomes questions, and even after just a couple days with her, we trusted her implicitly.

Over the past 118 days of our stay in the NICU, Whitney has been more than just a caregiver. She has been an advocate for our son B in so many ways and we have witnessed firsthand how her devotion, knowledge and gentle touch has played a critical role in helping B grow and achieve critical developmental milestones to date. B was intubated for 14 weeks of his life which oftentimes would require extra caution to be exercised when caring for him, even for the simplest tasks such as diaper changes. Whitney was one of the few nurses that was not intimidated by the tube and who did not let the fact that he was intubated get in the way of letting B experience normal baby things. She would sit him up daily to let him see the world around him, she encouraged PT times early on and would monitor his tube with every move to make sure it stayed in place.

Whitney has not only left a lasting impact on B, she has also been a gift from heaven for us as parents, coaching us through some of B’s toughest times and helping us always ask the right questions. We both have family in the medical field, and know how much of an asset Whitney is to our family, and more broadly, all families who find themselves at NW. There is no one in our mind more deserving of recognition than Whitney, as she embodies what this nomination calls for. Despite the dire situation for our family, we feel blessed to be under the care of our NICU team, especially Whitney, who helps make a relatively darker time, just a little bit sunnier."