Jennifer Becker, NICU Nurse
Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital
Nominated by Jessica Taylor

"I am honored to nominate Jennifer for the Jackson Chance Owl Give Award because she represents the rare combination of clinical excellence, professionalism, kindness, and compassion that makes an extraordinary NICU nurse. Jennifer was a familiar and reassuring face throughout our son’s 92-day NICU stay. Even as we moved between rooms, bays, and halls, we would regularly see her—sometimes caring for our son and other times caring for another family’s baby.

Everywhere we encountered her, we witnessed the same level of professionalism, patience, and genuine kindness. She was a constant presence in a place where so little felt predictable. Jennifer has an incredible ability to communicate difficult information with honesty while still leaving room for hope. She never sugarcoated the realities of our son’s condition, but she also never made us feel hopeless. She had a way of explaining things clearly and compassionately that allowed us to understand what was happening while reminding us that there was still reason to believe in our son.

One of the moments we will remember forever was when Jennifer supported us in holding our son for the very first time. For a medically fragile, incredibly tiny baby connected to monitors, tubes, and wires, something as simple as holding your own child can feel impossibly complicated and frightening. Jennifer made that moment possible. She was calm, patient, and reassuring, giving us the confidence to take that first precious step. It is a moment we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.

We will also always remember Jennifer for her calmness. In a world filled with alarms, uncertainty, difficult conversations, and fear, her presence had a way of quieting the chaos. Every time I saw her, I felt like I could breathe a little easier. I trusted her. And trust is an extraordinary gift to give a NICU family.

During such a scary and unpredictable time, trusting someone with your child—and trusting that they will be honest, attentive, and compassionate—is incredibly difficult. Jennifer earned that trust through every interaction, every explanation, and every act of care. Our 92-day NICU journey was filled with moments we never could have imagined before becoming parents.

Jennifer will forever be part of one of the most difficult and meaningful chapters of our lives. She gave us something we desperately needed during that time: reassurance that our son was in capable, caring hands. Jennifer will always hold a special place in my heart, and we could not be more grateful that she was part of our son’s journey home.”