Kim Ladd, NICU Nurse
Northwestern Prentice Women's Hospital

Nomination by Jordan Hwang

"My family has been fortunate enough to cross paths with Kim twice, and in both the most hopeful and the most devastating moments of our lives, she was our steady presence, teacher, and guardian. Kim was our son Parker's primary NICU nurse in July 2023, and two years later, she cared for our daughter Reese on the final day of her life.

Parker was born six weeks early after a placental abruption and was immediately taken to the NICU. Like most NICU parents, we were overwhelmed and terrified. From the very beginning, Kim met us with calm confidence, patience, and compassion. She answered every question and taught us how to care for our tiny baby, how to feed him, change his diaper, and begin our journey into parenthood. I will never forget Kim kneeling on the floor beside me, gently teaching me how to use a breast pump and reassuring me every step of the way. She was there on our first day of breastfeeding, helping Parker and me navigate the challenges with encouragement and grace.

Throughout our NICU stay, Kim made the long, overwhelming days feel manageable. She offered parenting tips and reminded us to take photos of Parker's milestones, knowing how meaningful those memories would be. She became our north star. On discharge day, we left the NICU feeling calm, prepared, and confident because of her.

Two years later, Reese was born at 26 weeks. After Reese's traumatic birth, Kim sought us out on our first day in the NICU. She remembered how we had spent every waking moment at Parker's bedside and gently helped us recognize the importance of a more sustainable plan for our long NICU stay. Her care extended beyond our daughter; it encompassed our entire family. Heartbreakingly, Reese passed away five days later.

On the hardest day of our lives, Kim found us again to offer her support as Reese's nurse. In the midst of unimaginable heartbreak, Kim provided care that went far beyond medicine. She made sure we had privacy, instinctively knowing when to give us space and when to envelop us with hugs and love. She took photos of us with Reese, understanding that these would become the only family photos we would ever have with our daughter, a priceless gift we will forever cherish. She helped guide us through conversations about bereavement leave and disposition plans with compassion and clarity. Kim held us as we cried, smiled with us as our son met his baby sister, and gently guided us through Reese's final moments.

Leaving the hospital without Reese was unbearable, but Kim promised she would hold her and protect her. As we kissed our baby girl goodbye, we knew she was safe in Kim's arms. Even after leaving the NICU, Kim has continued to support our family, helping us navigate a complex insurance appeal and offering unwavering emotional support during my readmission for severe postpartum complications. She has always made herself available and made it clear she always will be.

Kim has been a guardian angel to both of our children and to us as parents. Her compassion, intuition, and extraordinary presence embody the very best of NICU nursing. She is profoundly deserving of the Jackson Chance Foundation OWL Award."

Nomination by Michelle Bolis

“On its best days, the NICU can be a place of happiness and hope and on its worst days, a place of heartbreak and horror. On both the best and worst days, you hope the NICU hospital staff can provide care, comfort and compassion for its infant patients and their families. Kim Ladd embodies all of the best qualities of a NICU nurse and is fully deserving of the Jackson Chance Owl Foundation Award.

When I learned that my friend, Jordan Hwang, had delivered her son six weeks early in 2023, it was Kim who helped guide her during this scary and exciting time. Parker’s NICU stay was one that was filled with uncertainty, but many hopeful days and one of their happiest days yet when he was sent home. Kim was such a positive part of this NICU stay. In December 2025, Jordan and Michael were in the NICU again, but this time for their daughter, Reese, who was born at 26 weeks. As someone who wanted to love and support Jordan, Michael and Reese, I knew there was little to nothing I could do, but felt such relief in knowing that Kim was there for them. Kim is the nurse you want your loved ones to have because she uses all of her extensive medical knowledge to provide the best care and a large dose of love to make the happy moments better and the hard moments a little more bearable.

Unfortunately, Reese’s short, but meaningful, life was only five days. On her final day, the most heartbreaking day of Jordan and Michael’s life, it was Kim who was with them the entire day and I am so grateful to her for that. In hearing Jordan talk about this experience, she kept coming back to Kim. Kim provided them with the love and care that they needed. Jordan was so thankful to her for the efforts she made both big and small. And this really struck me. My friend is telling me about the worst day of her life and she can still think of Kim so fondly. That speaks volumes.

Kim was the person who brought them the smallest ounce of light when their world was filled with darkness. It was Kim who helped make that final day one that they can look back on, of course with profound sadness, but also love. Kim was such a positive and important part of this NICU stay. All NICU babies and their families deserve to have the level of care that Kim provides. Kim not only brings peace to her NICU families, but also the people that love them and oftentimes cannot physically be present to support.

I thank Kim for her dedication to her patients and their families. Kim Ladd exemplifies what it means to give quality care and is deserving of the Jackson Chance Foundation Award.

Nomination by Anne Wylie

“As a mother and grandmother, I have watched my family walk through both joy and heartbreak in the NICU, and Kim has been a constant source of comfort through it all. She cared for my grandson, Parker, when he was born prematurely in 2023, and two years later, she was there again when my granddaughter, Reese, passed away. The way she showed up for my family in both of those moments is something I will never forget.

When my grandson was born, I saw how Kim supported my daughter and her husband as new parents. She took the time to explain things in a way that made them feel more confident and less afraid. It meant so much to me to know they had someone like her guiding them during such an overwhelming time. When Reese was born, everything changed very quickly. The day we lost her is something no family can ever truly prepare for. I was on my way to the hospital, knowing what my family was facing, and all I could think about was getting there as fast as I could. But I also remember feeling a sense of relief knowing Kim was already with them. I knew they were not alone. I knew she would be taking care of them and surrounding them with the kind of love and support I wished I could give in that moment.

When I arrived, it was clear that Kim had not only been caring for Reese, but for all of us. She understood that this loss belonged to the entire family. She acknowledged each of us and created an environment where we could be together, grieve together, and love Reese in the short time we had. That meant everything to me as a grandmother.

What stands out most is that Kim sees beyond the patient in front of her. She sees the people who love that child and carries them through moments that feel impossible. Our family will always be grateful for the care she gave us, not just as a nurse, but as a person who truly understands what families need in their hardest moments. I will always be thankful she was part of Parker's and Reese’s story and ours.”

Nomination by Richard Hwang

“There are moments in life that change a family forever, and for ours, Reese’s life and passing was one of those moments. During that time, Kim gave our family a kind of care and compassion that I will never forget.

I first heard about Kim when she cared for our grandson Parker during his NICU stay in 2023. My son and daughter-in-law spoke about her constantly. They trusted her completely, and as a parent, there is comfort in knowing your children have someone steady guiding them through difficult situations. When Reese was born at 26 weeks, our family was thrown back into the uncertainty of the NICU, only this time the circumstances were far more serious. Watching your child face fear, heartbreak, and impossible decisions is incredibly difficult as a parent.

What stood out to me was the way Kim helped carry some of that weight. On the day Reese passed away, Kim brought a sense of calm into a situation that felt unbearable. She never made our family feel rushed or overlooked. Instead, she treated every moment with care and respect. She understood that time mattered to us and helped create an environment where we could focus entirely on loving Reese and being together as a family. One thing that left a lasting impression on me was how attentive Kim was to everyone in the room. She recognized grief in all of us, not only in Reese’s parents. She checked in quietly, listened carefully, and seemed to understand what people needed without them having to ask. That takes a rare kind of person.

As a grandfather, I will always be grateful for the dignity and compassion she brought to Reese’s final day. In the middle of heartbreak, she gave our family comfort, stability, and kindness we will never forget.”