Ellie Ciesick, NICU Nurse
Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital
Nominated by Jessica Taylor

"I am honored to nominate Ellie for the Jackson Chance Owl Give Award, but honestly, it is difficult to put into words just how much she means to our family. Looking back on our son’s 92-day NICU stay, I am not sure I would have been able to hold it all together without Ellie.

We were incredibly fortunate to have her as our son’s primary nurse, which meant she cared for him regularly throughout his time in the NICU. Over those many days and nights, she became so much more than our son’s nurse. In my heart, she became part of our family. Every interaction Ellie had with our son was filled with love, joy, compassion, and tenderness, even when his care was medically complex or difficult. She knew him. She recognized his cues, celebrated his progress, comforted him when he struggled, and cared for him with a warmth that made it clear he was not simply another baby in her assignment. She loved him.

But Ellie cared for me, too. As a terrified, exhausted NICU mom doing everything I could to be the mother my son needed, I often felt like I was trying to navigate an entirely different language and world. Ellie helped me find my way through it. She supported me with the countless things that can feel overwhelming in the NICU from logistics, resources, practices, and policies to helping me understand how to navigate the medical team.

Most importantly, Ellie helped me find my voice. There were so many moments when I hesitated to speak up because I wasn't sure what I was allowed to ask for or whether my instincts were right. Ellie noticed. She recognized when I was unsteady, encouraged me to advocate for my son, and sometimes advocated alongside me when I couldn't quite find the confidence to do it myself. She didn't just give me information; she empowered me to be my son's mother in a place where it was sometimes easy to feel like I didn't know enough.

Leaving your newborn child at the hospital and going home without them never feels natural. It was heartbreaking every single time. But when I knew Ellie was there, I could breathe a little easier. I knew he was loved. I knew he was understood. I knew someone would care for him with the same tenderness I would. Ellie became one of the leading faces of our son's medical team, but she also became one of the most important people in my village.

She helped carry us through some of the hardest days of our lives. We will never be able to adequately thank her for what she gave our family. Ellie cared for our son, but she also cared for the mother I was becoming. For that, and for so much more, I will be forever grateful.”