Denise Ann Belista, NICU Chaplain
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Nominated by Arkeysha Campbell

"Denise Ann goes above and beyond for every family she encounters. She is our only NICU Chaplain and supports all 64 patients here in the NICU. She also provides support around the hospital to her colleagues and their units. She has been pivotal in all of our end-of-life moments, ensuring that families’ dreams and religious expectations are executed. I have seen her hold parents while they have sobbed into her shoulder and give them the grace to speak about frustration, sadness, anger, etc. She is thoughtful with her responses to each and every family and meets them where they are, judgment-free. She has helped baptize patients and siblings, creating beautiful memories for families.

Even when faced with her own life challenges, she walks in every day ready to give our patients her all. On top of being an amazing NICU Chaplain, she has been the head of the Wellbeing Fair here at Lurie, ensuring that every staff member is aware of all the various offerings of wellbeing at Lurie and connecting each person to new wellbeing options. She co-leads a Sensory Grounding Meditation Group once a month for NICU families. She holds debriefing sessions after every NICU patient death to allow space for staff to process and express what they are feeling surrounding the patient's care and death. She is always willing to meet families prenatally to provide support as they prepare for their NICU stay. She leads monthly processing meetings with residents after their rotation in the NICU, as the rotation can be filled with several ups and downs. She is a peer support staff member on Lurie’s RISE team (in-the-moment support line) and so much more.

When I think of the Owl Give Award, I see Denise Ann's face. With a smile on her face daily, she walks around the NICU making it a better place for families, patients, and staff. She is always willing to share her knowledge and wisdom, helping us all become better team members and clinicians.”