As families gather around dinner tables to celebrate the holidays, many find themselves in the sterile surroundings of a hospital, grappling with uncertainty and fear. In the Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Phoenix Children’s Hospital

, one nurse stands out for her exceptional care and deep empathy—Savannah Westfall, the Nurse of the Week.

Westfall, the clinical supervisor of the NICU, understands all too well the emotional weight that the holiday season can bring for families with newborns requiring specialized care. “Being in the NICU kind of puts a weight on the holidays,” she explains. “We do care for these babies as if they were our own, so when the parents are hurting, we’re hurting as well.”

Her compassion for families is rooted in her own experience. Born prematurely at just 28 weeks gestation, Westfall faced a challenging start to life. Her mother, unable to hold her for long, recalls the fear and uncertainty of not knowing what was happening to her newborn. “The main thing she always points out is just how in the beginning I was immediately rushed away from her, and that was kind of scary not being able to see me right away,” Westfall shares.

After spending several weeks at Phoenix Children’s Good Samaritan Hospital, Westfall was finally released to go home after three months—a journey that would one day inspire her to help other families facing similar challenges. “For me, it kind of comes full circle,” she says. “I feel like it’s an incredible opportunity that I’ve been blessed with.”

Westfall’s journey from a NICU baby to a NICU nurse embodies the essence of hope and resilience. Her ability to empathize with families in distress allows her to reassure them during their darkest moments. “It’s nice to be able to give those families that feeling of hope that things do work out,” she explains. “I like to provide them with that reassurance that it takes a village, and now we’re a part of your village. We’re here for you. We’re here for your baby.”

Her dedication to her patients, like baby Josiah, nurtures their physical health and heals the emotional wounds of their families. “I can kind of meet the families halfway and understand their experience and guide them through it,” Westfall says, highlighting the profound connection she forms with those she cares for.

With a heart full of passion and purpose, Westfall is committed to remaining in the NICU. “I’ll never leave the NICU. This is where I’m meant to be and where I’ll stay,” she affirms, underlining her devotion to the families and babies she serves.

As November marks National Prematurity Awareness Month, Westfall’s story highlights the importance of compassion in nursing. According to the CDC, one in every ten babies is born prematurely each year, making the work of dedicated nurses like Savannah all the more crucial.

Join us in celebrating Savannah Westfall as the Nurse of the Week. She is a true embodiment of empathy, resilience, and hope in the face of adversity. Her unwavering commitment to her patients and their families makes her a beacon of light in the NICU, inspiring others to provide the compassionate care every family deserves.

Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.

The post Celebrating Compassion: Savannah Westfall Named Nurse of the Week first appeared on Daily Nurse.