Katie Crenshaw, a registered nurse who provides care to premature infants and sick babies in St. Mary’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, has received St. Mary’s systemwide DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence.

Katie was nominated by a patient’s mother who was grateful for the care Katie provided not only to her premature infant but to the whole family.

The mom was anxious and stressed, especially about how she and the baby’s older siblings would bond with her youngest child. Because premature infants have weak immune systems, they are not able to meet their brothers and sisters until they go home, which can be several days, weeks or even months after birth.

“Katie was such a soothing soul and warming smile during a high anxiety week for me as a NICU mom,” the mother wrote in her nomination for Katie. “She sat in my son’s room while I cried and truly took an interest in what she could do to help me with the anxiety and caretaker fatigue.”

Katie made pictures with the baby’s footprints to help connect the older children with their new brother. She also arranged for the family to come and see their brother through the NICU door. “Katie taking the time to just listen truly touched me and made me appreciate the NICU staffing you have here even more,” the mother concluded.

“This award beautifully reflects the compassionate care Katie delivers to all of her patients and their families,” said Women’s and Children’s Services Director Jackie Iley. “She is a wonderful nurse who truly found her calling here in the NICU. We are so glad she is part of our team.”

“We are extremely proud of Katie and all of our DAISY Award recipients,” said Ann Gomes, St. Mary’s DAISY Award Committee coordinator and director of orthopedics at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. “This award demonstrates the vital role nurses play not only as care providers at the bedside, but with families and colleagues as well. Congratulations, Katie!” 

Katie is a graduate of Gwinnett Technical College who joined St. Mary’s NICU in 2012 shortly after earning her degree in nursing. She is a resident of Auburn.