“My first interaction with our primary nurse Jody was watching her give our daughter Mary Jo a pacifier for the first time. Born at 28 weeks, Mary Jo’s beet red body screamed as loud as her little lungs would allow; Jody spoke so gently and lovingly as she maneuvered around the medical equipment to place a pacifier in Mary Jo’s mouth. Her tiny body relaxed as she held onto Jody’s hands. “See how it soothes her?” She laughed in amazement. Jody continued, “Look at her eyes trying to peek open!” and “Oh my goodness I see a dimple!” Jody genuinely loved and celebrated our daughter from the moment she met her. This was a gift to our family and gave us more peace in balancing the care of our three young children at home during Mary Jo’s 97 day stay. Jody didn’t just take care of Mary Jo – she took care of us too. She answered our many questions, listened to our fears, and constantly reassured us. In her presence we found ourselves feeling more like you how you would feel around a good friend you’d known for years. During those many hours in the NICU sitting with Mary Jo feeding and holding her, we shared many conversations, laughs, random stories, and heart to hearts. Even on days when Jody was the charge nurse and not directly caring for Mary Jo, she still somehow managed to find time to come by and check on her. Many of these days included her working 16 hour shifts. She never complained and had the same consistent positive energy and always her signature infectious laugh. During the time that we were in the NICU, Jody’s father sadly passed away. We never expected to hear from Jody as she had many things to attend to during that time. However, Jody continued to check on Mary Jo while she was gone from work and grieving the loss of her dad. Although she was not scheduled to work on the day Mary Jo was discharged, as we walked out of the hospital with our daughter, Jody was standing with her family waiting to give Mary Jo a hug goodbye. I still get tears in my eyes any time I think about this or tell the story to someone else. I can’t explain it, but I will try. Picture leaving your very vulnerable 3 pound newborn baby hooked up to all kinds of medical equipment with perfect strangers. It just doesn’t even seem natural. But you really have no choice, and so you just hope and pray that someone will care as much about your baby as you do – you know no one else is their mom so no one can love them like you do. But you just hope and pray they will care. In Jody, I found more than an answer to my prayer. She not only cared for Mary Jo – she really loved her. There isn’t anything more a mother’s heart could want.”

Nominated by Katie Dunne

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“Earlier this year, on a Monday morning, I found myself with my daughter in the neonatal intensive care unit at Northwestern Hospital. Mary Jo, barely 3 pounds, was a day old. This was not how we expected things to go. Unfamiliar hospital personnel were coming in and out of Mary Jo’s room that rainy morning; I remember this very clearly. Praying my rosary and staying out of their way seemed to make the most sense. It was at this most uncertain time, while my wife was still recovering from emergency cesarean surgery, that a nurse quietly walked into Mary Jo’s room and introduced herself to me. Her name was Jody Schaff. As I would come to find out with all of the special people who work in the Northwestern NICU, Jody’s commitment to our daughter was unwavering. Mary Jo’s path to recovery began with this hardworking and unassuming nurse from northwest Indiana. Over the course of the next 97 unpredictable days, Jody was at my daughter’s side comforting her like a mother during her most challenging moments. As kind as she was, it was also apparent that Jody’s opinion was sought out regularly by both her peers and the doctors alike. As a father sitting in the NICU watching everything, you have no idea how comforting it was to know we had such a well-respected all-star nurse (coach) taking care of our daughter each day. What I did not expect was how much this nurse ended up taking care of me on this journey too. After my daughter’s admission at the NICU, I convinced myself that I was going to take off work and be at the NICU with Mary Jo until she came home. I floated this idea by Jody and, without hesitation, she encouraged me to return to work and to concentrate on taking care of myself so I would be prepared to take care of Mary Jo when she came home. Spoken with such conviction, she was confident this was the right course and reassured me that she and her colleagues were going to take care of Mary Jo. Being away from Mary Jo for more than five minutes while she was in intensive care was an emotional crossroads for me. Still, this nurse was different and I really trusted her opinion. I, like the doctors I observed daily, followed her direction too and ended up returning to work. With this plan in place, I was still able to be at the hospital daily while still taking care of my responsibilities at work. When Mary Jo did come home, as Jody predicted I was in a much better place to take care of my daughter. As a father with three more children at home, please know that my wife and I quite literally trust Jody with our daughter’s life. Jody has become a member of our family. Please, please strongly consider her for this award. She is so deserving of the Jackson Chance Owl Give Award.”

Nominated by William Dunne

“Angie came into our lives when our twin girls were two days old after being born at 28 weeks and she stayed there for the 90 days our girls spent in the NICU. We are first time parents and to say we were terrified that our babies were in the NICU hooked up to countless tubes and monitors is a major understatement. Angie was our girls’ nurse on day two and became an integral part of our family that day as well. From the very first time we saw Angie with our girls, her expertise, calm demeanor and loving nature was palpable. As time went on, we would watch Angie stand next our babies’ bedside and soothe them with loving pats and words when they were too sick to leave their isolates. Angie would talk with us about every single thing the doctors said, teach us how to change diapers, hold our babies safely, sideline feed, and above all trust in the NICU process. Being a first-time parent of two very premature babies is an experience that does not lend itself to much peace of mind. Angie gifted that to us. When our babies were with Angie, we knew that they were loved and taken care of. Angie afforded me the luxury of having some coffee and breakfast before heading into the NICU to see the girls because I was confident in their care.

During COVID, when no family was allowed to come and see our babies or join us in this experience, Angie became our family. The number of hours she sat with us in our girls’ room and talked to us about the girls, about NICU life and about life in general allowed us to feel human again during an isolating time. When I went back to work while the girls were still in the NICU, Angie helped me to process through my anxiety, guilt and fear about not being with the babies all day. When I would check in during the day, Angie would not spare a single detail about the girls’ day and progress and greeted me with a huge smile and two happy babies to snuggle when I would arrive to the NICU after work. Angie listened to us and advocated for us during rounds when we could not be present. Ultimately, Angie made the NICU feel warm and safe. Angie made our babies feel loved and safe. I would not wish premature birth of babies on anyone, but I do wish that everyone that has this experience has an Angie to go along with it. Our girls will grow up knowing and feeling gratitude for their “Angel Angie” and so will we. I could not think of a better person to receive the Owl Give Award than Angie.”

“Katy has been a NICU nurse for over 40 years at Prentice! She has saved hundreds of lives and has touch thousands more. When I was a NICU nurse, she taught me not only how to be a great nurse, but to also care for each baby as if it were my own. When I had my own baby in the NICU, Katy was there from day one! She made sure Clara tasted my colostrum first, always had her styling in cute preemie clothes and blankets, and even made sure I was taking care of myself after a traumatic C-section. There are so many nurses, RTs, MDs, and PTs who look up to Katy. She makes everyone better around her and families adore her! I know this is not Katy’s first nomination and it should not be her last. Please consider this extraordinary nurse!”

“Carrie is god sent! She has every quality that you would want in a nurse who’s caring for your child, let alone a micro-preemie. I met Carrie 4.5yrs ago when my daughter was born at 26 weeks and needed an emergency surgery. She was our admit nurse and I thank god for that. Ever since day 1 we clicked. Carrie was there for most of Leilani’s firsts and her bad days as well. She’s a very smart and sweet person. Whenever we needed a little bit of guidance she wouldn’t hesitate to help or to offer to come in on her day off to comfort us. Even after Leilani was discharged we have kept in touch. She was nice enough to arrange a visit to a stable knowing that Leilani has a love for horses. I feel that Carrie deserves this award and more. She goes above and beyond for every family and baby she cares for. Thanks Carrie!!”

Nominated by Daisy Martinez

“Carrie embodies all the qualities that every NICU nurse should possess – not only VERY intelligent, but also kind, gentle, empathetic, patient and simply an amazing human being. Carrie has also been a champion for the Jackson Chance Foundation by recruiting volunteers, fundraising, supporting fellow participants and spreading the word about this important cause. All nurses deserve praise for their selfless work, but Carrie deserves this honor just a little bit more for her commitment over the last few years! She’s amazing and couldn’t be a better ambassador of the NICU Nurse profession or for the JC Foundation.”

Nominated by Ron Armour

“My beautiful son, Matthew Boyer was born at 28-3/7 weeks pre-mature. To say I was terrified from the moment I went into labor would be the biggest understatement of my life. But, to explain the fear I felt from the moment he was born is something I could never and can still never put into words. I remember those first few days in the NICU watching all these sick babies with their primary nurses and fearing that no one would ever sign up for Matthew. And then, out of nowhere, in the darkest hours of my life, there was Ashley…this breath of fresh air, this unbelievable positive angel who had unwavering faith and hope in my teeny, tiny baby.

She was this bright light that refuses to go out, that refused to let us give up, give in or fall apart. Every night when I was home, I would call to check on Matthew and pray that Ashley was working. When she answered the phone, I felt like my broken heart could rest and mend a tiny bit because I knew she was giving him all the love in the world. There were many nights in his 13 month stay when he was so sick that he had to sleep upright and she would hold him the entire night because she knew he needed it. She made signs all over his crib and room that said B+ for “Be Positive”. She called it Matthew’s BE POSITIVE ZONE. She refused to let anyone give up on him and she told me to write B+ everywhere so when I was sad, or scared or desperate, it would help lift me up….and it did. I had B+ signs everywhere…in my wallet, on my mirror, in my office, all over our house, everywhere and when I felt like I couldn’t go on for one more second, there was a B+ sign reminding me that someone far more important needed me to keep it together and never lose hope.

I could not imagine those 13 months without her. I guarantee we would not have made it through it without her. She is truly the most beautiful soul in the world with the biggest heart. She just texted me the other day to tell me what an honor it was to care for Matthew and that she still thinks of him all the time…even more now that she is a mom herself. She constantly comments on all of my Facebook pictures of Matthew. Even now, 8 years later….she is watching over him, holding firm in her unwavering faith in him and cheering him on in the BE POSITIVE ZONE she created. We truly love her! She is the reason the Owl award was created and we pray that you honor her this year with this award.”

“What seemingly started out as any old Monday would turn into the most significant day in our lives. On July 26, 2016 our boys decided to join us here on earth at just a mere 30 weeks and 3 days. I vividly remember not even fully understanding the effect that this would have on them or us. All I knew is that it was way to soon and we needed to brace ourselves for a lot of unknowns. Once the boys were whisked away after delivery my husband went with the L&D team as they were admitted to the NICU. That is where he met Tiffany.

Tiffany has a presence about her when she is in the room; calm, focused and knowledgeable in any situation. She was right there assuring my husband that everything was going to be okay and they were going to be taken care of. From that moment, we knew that we had met someone that would would have an imprint on our lives forever.

For the next 65 days she cared for our sons like they were her own. Any major medical decisions she was consulted and served as their advocate through the process. Sometimes in life, you are led in directions and I believe to certain people for a reason. We could not feel more blessed to have Tiffany in our lives and are forever grateful for her being an integral part of saving their lives.”

Our tiny miracle, Isabella Rose, was born on March 6, 2016 at 25 weeks weighing 1 lb. 4 oz. She came early due to complications with severe preeclampsia that left doctors no choice but to deliver. Isabella also suffered from IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction), just days after she was born her weight dropped down to 15 ounces. The 151-day journey in the NICU was life changing and traumatic to say the least. But it was the amazing care of the staff (doctors, respiratory therapists, and nurses) in the NICU at Northwestern Prentice Hospital that made this terrifying experience manageable.

We were blessed to have wonderful experiences with so many nurses that took care of Isabella. She had quite the fan club! But of all the nurses, there was one so very special to me, my husband, our families, and especially to Isabella, Beckie Tweedle. There are so many wonderful things about Beckie that make her the most amazing nurse and so deserving of the Owl Give Award. She embraced us at our worst time with her calm warm smile that helped put our fears at ease. She was Isabella’s number one advocate.

When Isabella needed diuretics due to severe edema, and doctors couldn’t find the right combination to help decrease it, Beckie researched and presented her recommendations to the doctors. She is highly respected by her colleagues, which was evident at rounds every day when she would advocate, recommend, and collaborate with the medical team. It was Beckie’s relentless determination to provide Isabella with the best care that helped improve her respiratory status.

We spent every day at the hospital and the days with Beckie were our favorite. She saw us at our worst and loved us anyways. She always offered a shoulder to cry on, she brought humor into our life when we needed it, and most importantly she loved loved loved our Isabella.

Beckie had such an impact on Isabella’s progress. Isabella felt her positive energy, she thrived off her snuggles, and excelled because of their One Direction sing-a-longs (well, actually, Beckie did the singing)! There was nothing more comforting to my husband and me than knowing Isabella’s nurses truly loved her.

Beckie is a gem. She is calm, kind-hearted, happy, loving, and so incredibly smart. She became family, and we would never have made it through five-months in the NICU without her. I always told her that a NICU is a place you never want to end up. Now that we did, because of her, we didn’t want to leave. She so deserves this honor. She was there on the toughest days for Isabella. I watched her revive her, I watched her advocate for her, and I watched her love and nurture Isabella as if she were her own. There is no greater comfort to a parent than that.”