Kelli Snider, NICU Nurse
Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital

Nomination by Taylor Murray

"Kelli transformed our NICU journey in the most profound way with her compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication just over a month into our four-month stay. From the moment she began caring for our son Leo, she brought light into some of our darkest days and helped me find confidence as a new mother when I needed it most. She not only provided exceptional care, but also taught me how to advocate for myself and find my voice during a time I felt completely lost. When I truly believed I wouldn’t be able to survive this experience, Kelli showed me that I could.

She consistently went above and beyond - even on days she wasn’t working to check in and support us, always making us feel valued and never like a burden. She helped me find moments of laughter and experience happiness again when I didn’t think it was possible, reminding me that hope and strength still exist even in the hardest seasons of life. We truly feel she is a meaningful part of our “why” in this journey - someone we were meant to cross paths with during this chapter of our lives. The impact she has had on our family is something we will carry with us forever.

I will forever be grateful for the friendship Kelli built with my husband and me, but most importantly with our son - his “Nonnie,” as we call her. On mornings when it took me longer to get downtown, I had complete peace knowing he was in the best hands, cared for by someone who truly loved him as her own. If she was there and I wasn’t, I knew he was getting extra snuggles and attention so I could take a much-needed moment for myself. A long NICU stay is exhausting, and gaining that level of trust in someone caring for your child is the greatest gift to make those long days feel shorter. Leo will forever know about the incredible nurse who not only helped save his life, but mine too.”

Nomination by Baomy Wehrle

“Kelli Snider made an extraordinary impact on our family during our son Charlie’s 10-day stay in the NICU at Prentice Women’s Hospital. While 10 days may seem short compared to some NICU journeys, the length of our stay does not make Kelli’s impact any smaller. In fact, during those 10 days, she became one of the people who helped carry us through an incredibly uncertain and emotional time.

When Charlie was in the NICU, we were anxious, worried, and often unsure of what would happen next. Kelli brought a sense of calm and ease to an environment that could otherwise feel overwhelming. She always took the time to check in on us, not just Charlie, and made sure we were doing okay. She had a remarkable ability to make us feel informed and reassured, even when there were still so many unknowns.

Kelli also helped us navigate the medical side of the NICU in a way that made us feel more confident. She helped translate what the doctors were saying, answered our endless questions, and made sure we understood what needed to happen next. She was resourceful and proactive in making sure Charlie received the appropriate follow-ups and was seen by the specialists he needed. Most importantly, she helped us feel confident that Charlie was truly ready and healthy enough to come home.

What makes Kelli so special is that her incredible knowledge comes with decades of experience, but she never loses the personal connection that makes families feel cared for. We loved hearing the story of how she knew she wanted to be a nurse from such a young age, caring for her younger brother when she was only seven years old. It says so much about who Kelli is: caring has always been part of who she is. Kelli is knowledgeable, resourceful, kind, caring, personable, and incredibly reassuring. She brought both expertise and humanity to some of the most stressful days our family has experienced.

We will always be grateful that she was part of Charlie’s NICU journey. The NICU may have been a short chapter for our family, but Kelli’s impact will last far beyond those 10 days. She helped us feel less afraid, more informed, and more confident bringing our son home. Kelli is incredibly deserving of the Owl Give Award, and we are so grateful for the care she gave our family.”