Stacy Jaroch, Nursing Assistant
University of Illinois Chicago
Nominated by Tamia Hudson

"When families enter the NICU, they are often experiencing the most frightening and uncertain moments of their lives. As a new mother whose daughter faced feeding complications and required surgery, I know this feeling all too well. During that incredibly difficult time, one person stood out as a constant source of comfort, strength, and compassion: Stacy, a Nursing Care Technician in the NICU at UIC Hospital.

Stacy is more than a healthcare worker, she is a light during some of the darkest moments families face. From the very beginning, she showed a level of care that went far beyond her job description. She not only cared for the babies in the unit with incredible attentiveness, but she also provided something just as important: emotional support for the mothers and families who sat beside those tiny beds every day.

Sometimes that support came through heartfelt conversations. Sometimes it was a box of tissues quietly placed nearby. Other times, it was simply her silent presence a reassuring hand on a shoulder when words weren’t enough. In a place filled with fear and uncertainty, Stacy created moments of calm and reassurance that meant more than words can fully express.

As a new mother, I often struggled with the guilt of leaving my daughter overnight so I could rest. But whenever Stacy walked into my daughter’s room, something remarkable happened. My daughter immediately recognized her voice and locked eyes with her. There was a genuine bond between them that brought me immense comfort.

Even when Stacy wasn’t assigned to my daughter’s care, she would still stop by to check on her. She would sit with her, read to her, and hold her when I had to go home. Knowing Stacy was there gave me something priceless: peace of mind. I could leave the hospital for a few hours knowing my daughter was not only safe but truly cared for.

Of course, the doctors and nurses in the NICU were incredible, and I am deeply grateful for all of them. But Stacy made our experience feel personal. She made us feel like family. Watching my daughter recognize her voice, smile when she saw her, and light up in her presence showed me that Stacy’s compassion was genuine. This was never something she did only when parents were watching. This is simply who she is.

Stacy’s dedication becomes even more remarkable when you consider everything she balances in her own life. She is a mother of three, a full-time nursing student, and she drives nearly an hour and a half each way to work overnight shifts in the NICU.

Despite the long hours and the many demands in her life, she arrives every day with a smile and a heart ready to care for others. In the NICU, Stacy is truly a “superwoman.” She is the mother hen, the comforting presence, and the steady support for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients. She cares for every baby as if they were her own and supports every parent as if they were family.

In a place where families face fear, uncertainty, and some of the most emotional days of their lives, Stacy brings something truly extraordinary, compassion, comfort, and unwavering dedication. She does not simply care for patients; she uplifts families, restores hope, and reminds parents they are not alone during their hardest moments.

The love, patience, and humanity she brings to her work cannot be taught, it comes from the heart. For families like mine, Stacy will never just be remembered as a caregiver in the NICU, she will always be remembered as the person who carried light into one of the darkest chapters of our lives. A Light in the NICU Compassion Beyond Care!"