Our 2022 NICU Nurse of the Year is....
Ronda McCaskey of UH Rainbow Babies & Children's
Ronda was nominated by many of her patients, co-workers, and family members for the exceptional care she provides to babies and families. Her lifelong dream was to go back to school to become a NICU nurse, and in her 40s after years in real estate, she did just that—actually taking classes with her daughter at Kent State University.
It's clear after reading all of her nominations that this is her true calling in life, and she brightens the lives of the patients and staff at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's every day. We're honored to name Ronda the 2022 4moms NICU Nurse of the Year.
"She has a heart of gold. She cares about all her patients & treats them like family." - Anonymous Nominator
And our 10 finalists are:
- Bailey Metzler of Ochsner Baptist Medical Center
- Benjamin Goodrich of Greater Baltimore Medical Center
- Caroline Witte of Wolfson Children's Hospital
- Dee Ullmer of Beacon Children's Hospital
- Inez Bermudez of Valley Baptist Medical Center Harlingen
- Jerri Ballard of Texas Health Alliance Hospital
- Paige Buhl of Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
- Valerie Falk of C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
- Victoria Hastings of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
- Yvette Wirtz of Redlands Community Hospital
Thank you to all who participated in Nominate a NICU Nurse 2022!
Elliot Hospital (Manchester, NH)
“We were thrilled when we received the news that our NICU had won 5 MamaRoos—what a wonderful way to end our year! We would like to pass along our gratitude to 4moms and Project Sweet Peas for their generosity to our NICU and our community! We have been using MamaRoos on our unit for some time and are excited to have these new ones.”
– Ann W. BSN, RN
Grandview Medical Center (Birmingham, AL)
“Thank you to our NICU families for nominating Grandview. As a result of your kind words and praise for our special NICU team, Grandview was one of 10 hospitals nationwide to receive this generous donation of MamaRoos from 4moms and Project Sweet Peas! We are so grateful for the donation. The MamaRoo is a favorite with NICU nurses and families and will be put to good use. #grandviewproud”
- Stephanie A., Director of Women's Services
Women's Hospital (Baton Rouge, LA)
“We are grateful for the donation and honored to have the support from those who nominated us to make that a possibility. The MamaRoo is a favorite with NICU nurses and families, and now more of our tiny patients will have access to one while in the hospital.”
– Laurel K., NICU Director
Our Partner: Project Sweet Peas
Three women came together for support and comfort after their own NICU experiences, where they began filling and distributing gift bags of items they wish they had during their stay. They created the non-profit, Project Sweet Peas. Project Sweet Peas slowly grew into a national network of parents and volunteers who are passionate about providing support to families of premature or sick infants, and to those who've been affected by pregnancy and infant loss.
MamaRoo + NICU
Nearly 650 maternity wards, NICUs, and pediatric units across the U.S. use the 4moms MamaRoo to comfort newborns. Doctors and nurses have found it useful to have an extra set of arms in the NICU to help further support babies. 4moms Cares offers regular donations and product discounts to hospitals and health care centers.
(The MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing is not a medical device.)