Gretchen has been a nurse in the NICU for more than 5 years. In that time, she has become an expert in caring for high risk infants and a comfort to the parents of each baby she cares for. She helps nurture the parent/infant bond with her friendly smile and mild personality.

To Grechen, being a nurse in the NICU is not simply a job, it is an incredible rewarding career.

Gretchen was the primary nurse to a baby in the NICU who was born June 2012 and passed away in the NICU in February 2013. Throughout those 9 months, Gretchen cared for that baby thru illnesses and many surgeries. She loved that baby as if it was her own.

The baby's parents had little family support or financial means. Gretchen never judged them but instead she taught those young parents how to love and care for their baby. Gretchen always made it a point during her busy work day to just sit, hold and rock her special baby.

When it was apparent that his life was coming to an end, Gretchen along with 4 other special nurses, were there on their day off to love and support this baby and his family until he left this world and became an angel.

Gretchen exemplifies the passionate, selfless work of being a nurse and a deserving recipient of the DAISY Award.