Lee Ryan, Occupational Therapist
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
Nominated by Carrie Anselmo

"We are deeply honored to nominate Lee for the Jackson Chance OWL Award in recognition of the extraordinary care, compassion, and perspective she brings to our family and so many others. From the very beginning, Lee has been more than an occupational therapist to us, she has been a steady, grounding presence in moments that often felt overwhelming and uncertain.

In the hospital environment, it is so easy to become consumed by the constant beeping of monitors, the flashing numbers on the screen, and the alarms that seem to dictate every emotion. As a parent, those numbers can quickly become everything, each fluctuation sparking fear, worry, and endless second-guessing about what comes next for your child.

There is one moment with Lee that will stay with me forever. I was completely fixated on the monitors, anxiously watching every number and reacting to every sound as our son’s oxygen levels were carefully managed during his OT sessions as part of his BPD plan. Lee gently stepped in and, with such calm and kindness, offered words that completely shifted my perspective. She told me to stop looking at the numbers and alarms and instead to read and respond to my son, to truly see him. She encouraged me to relax, to be present, and to simply enjoy being his mom. That simple but profound guidance changed everything. At that moment, she reminded me that I am not just a caregiver tracking data, I am his parent. I am his mom, I know him best. She helped me refocus on his breathing, his expressions, his tiny movements, and the bond we share. Where there had been fear, I felt calm. Where there had been anxiety, I felt presence. She gave me back something I didn’t even realize I was losing in that environment: the ability to just be with my child.

Lee has an incredible ability to blend clinical expertise with genuine, heartfelt compassion. She understands the medical complexities deeply, yet she never allows the technical aspects to overshadow the human experience. She cares not only for her patients, but for their families, lifting them up, empowering them to trust their instincts, and helping them find confidence even in the most fragile and uncertain moments. Her words that day were more than advice, they were a gift. She gave me permission to pause, to breathe, and to reconnect with my son in a way that felt grounding and real.

In a place where machines and measurements so often take center stage, Lee gently brought the focus back to what matters most: connection, love, and presence. Lee truly embodies everything the Jackson Chance OWL Award represents. She leads with empathy, teaches with patience, and cares with her whole heart. Because of her, our experience has been not only more manageable, but more meaningful in ways we will carry with us forever.

We are deeply grateful for Lee and the difference she makes every single day. She has touched our family in a way we will never forget, and she is profoundly deserving of this recognition."