Annika DeMarte, NICU Nurse
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital

Nomination by Katherine Cooper

"Annika made such an impact on our daughter Carson and our experience in the Lurie NICU. She consistently went above and beyond for Carson and us as her parents, making sure we had input on her care, knew her needs and hospital quirks, and above all just made us feel confident in the team. Annika cares deeply for all of her patients, and we are grateful for the tender and loving care for Carson. She spent extra time for cuddles and books between care times. She acted quickly during a difficult day post-surgery. We are beyond blessed to now have Annika as a daily caregiver and consider her part of the family.”

Nomination by Jennifer Castaneda

I would like to nominate Annika DeMarte for her amazing care and compassion toward babies in the NICU and the families who love them. I loved and appreciated every nurse who took care of my baby, Santiago, during his time in the NICU. But Annika had something truly special about her—she lights up the room! She is incredibly dedicated to her patients and always made sure the parents felt comfortable, supported, and cared for as well.

Every day I walked into the room and saw that Annika was assigned to my baby boy, my heart melted. She always went above and beyond. Even on days when she wasn't assigned to Santiago, she would stop by his room, check on me, and ask if I needed anything. She would even make sure to bring me a jar of water. Those little gestures meant so much to me during such a difficult time. Annika truly warmed my heart.

I always hated having to leave the hospital and go back home to visit my girls, especially because we live in Joliet. It was so hard leaving Santiago behind. But whenever Annika was taking care of him, I left with a little more peace in my heart because I knew my baby boy was in the best hands. Annika also went out of her way to make my family feel welcome and cared for. She would stop by and play "ice cream shop" with my 6-year-old daughter, making her smile during a time that was incredibly difficult for our family. She just has a way of making everyone feel seen, valued, and cared for.

If there is anyone I believe truly deserves this award, it is Annika. Her kindness, compassion, dedication, and genuine love for her patients and their families are unforgettable. Annika, we love you! Thank you so much for all the love and care you gave Santiago and our family. Thank you for being one of those special people who can light up even the hardest days. We will forever be grateful for you! ❤️