Aimee Guay, Registered Nurse
Northwestern Prentice Women's Hospital
Nominated by Martyna Vehab

"When our twins arrived at just 26 weeks, our lives were flipped upside down. Every day walking into the NICU brought new fears. We didn’t know what to expect, how to handle such fragile little babies, or even how to touch them without worry. About a month into that journey, we met Aimee. She became our first primary night nurse, and from the very beginning, she stood out as someone who would change our story forever.

Aimee has a remarkable way of easing fear and bringing comfort into the most stressful nights. She cared for AJ and Mia with incredible skill and tenderness, but what we’ll never forget is the personality and joy she brought with her. One of our favorite memories is how she would lean over their incubators and, in a playful voice, say, “What’s the matter?” It always made us laugh, and to this day, we still repeat it at home as a reminder of her warmth and humor.

She never made us feel like just another family passing through. Instead, she took the time to teach us how to diaper our babies through portholes, how to do skin-to-skin with confidence, and how to celebrate even the smallest steps forward. She encouraged us to embrace every milestone, whether it was a successful feeding or just making it through the night. Aimee would always join in on holiday or milestone photoshoots for the twins, helping us create joyful memories in a place that could easily feel heavy. And because she is so crafty, she went above and beyond making fun, creative posters every time the twins hit a milestone or gained another pound. Those posters, full of love and imagination, are keepsakes we will treasure for a lifetime.

What truly makes Aimee extraordinary is that her support didn’t end when our NICU journey did. We still keep in touch and even spend time together outside the hospital. She is no longer just the nurse who cared for our babies—she has become like family to us.

Aimee’s kindness, creativity, and genuine heart transformed our NICU experience. She gave us hope on the hardest nights, reminded us to laugh, and helped us build beautiful memories in the midst of uncertainty. For these reasons and so many more, we are honored to nominate Aimee because she is not just a nurse, but a lasting part of our family’s story.”