New Father Nominates Kienzle Family Maternity Center Nurse for DAISY Award

The birth of your first child can often bring many emotions. Having a nurse who can make you and your family feel safe, comfortable and calm can make a world of difference in your birth experience.

That was the case for a family who recently delivered their baby girl in the Kienzle Family Maternity Center.

The new father wrote: “My wife and I arrived at Crouse 11 days past the due date and scheduled to be induced. Long story short, the procedure to administer a cervical balloon traumatized my wife.”

“I was upset,” the father wrote, “but kept it low-key at the request of my wife and mother-in-law.” The next person he met, he said, was Nicola Bauer, RN, from our Labor and Delivery unit.

“Admittedly, I was cruel to her when she first walked in. Instead of writing us off, Nicola got us the answered we were looking for,” the father continued.

From that point forward, Nicola was by their side throughout the delivery process. The new father remarked that Nicola not only paid attention to the health of his wife and unborn child, but also to the emotional well-being of his mother-in-law and him.

“Plain and simple, she cared,” the father wrote.

Nicola continued to check in on the family, offering a calming presence as well as suggestions for pain management like hydrotherapy or massage.

As Nicola’s shift ended, she gave the family ample heads up and assured them she was leaving them in good hands.

After their daughter was born, the family was resting on our 7 Irving unit when Nicola popped by for a visit.

“I did not cry when I first saw my daughter,” the new dad wrote, “but I nearly cried when Nicola expressed her congratulations and told us we were going to be great parents.”

The family stated that their image of Crouse is that of Nicola.

Thank you, Nicola, for going above and beyond for new families who choose to deliver at Crouse.

Nicola was presented the award by Lynne Shopiro, Interim Chief Nursing Officer, left and Brynne Stockton, Nurse Manager, right.

About the DAISY Award
In November 1999, the family of J. Patrick Barnes formed the DAISY Foundation as a way to express their profound gratitude to nurses for the work they do for patients and their families every day. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. Pat died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. In 2015, Crouse became a DAISY-affiliated hospital, and presents an award to a deserving nurse, selected by a committee, regularly throughout the year. The DAISY Award program at Crouse has been made possible through a donation from the Crouse Hospital Medical Staff.