Silver Cross Hospital announced Angie Arthur, RN, a dedicated neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, has been honored with the Kernan Family Legacy Award at the South Suburban March for Babies held Saturday, June 6.

Arthur, who has served at Silver Cross for a total of 11 years, was recognized for the compassion, clinical excellence and steady support she provides to patients and families in the Amy, Matthew and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Opened in July 2022, the state-of-the-art Level 3 NICU is the only NICU in Will County and has already cared for more than 1,000 babies and their families.

Arthur was nominated by Samantha Lythberg, a NICU parent who experienced firsthand the exceptional care Arthur provides during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

“We loved having Angie as our nurse,” Lythberg wrote in her nomination. “She was sweet, caring and calm in stressful situations.”

Lythberg also praised Arthur’s ability to bring “steady care” and “compassionate calm” to even the most emotional and high-pressure situations, noting that her impact extends far beyond the walls of the NICU.

Arthur humbly accepted the award, emphasizing the meaningful connections formed with patients and families.

“I’m truly honored to be the recipient of the Kernan Family Legacy Award this year. I would like to thank Sam for the nomination and for her kind words. Caring for Nathan and being a part of his NICU journey was incredibly special to me. He’s one of those babies who left a lasting impact on me, and I will never forget the privilege of being a part of his story and supporting his family along the way.”

She also spoke about her passion for neonatal care and the profound purpose she finds in her work.

“Being a NICU nurse is something I genuinely love and feel passionate about every day. It is incredibly rewarding to care for the tiniest patients while supporting their families through both challenging and joyful moments. One of the most meaningful parts of my job is watching these babies grow stronger each day. Seeing them go from being so small and fragile to becoming healthy enough to go home with their families is truly remarkable.”

Arthur was quick to share the recognition with the entire NICU care team.

“Being a part of that journey is both humbling and inspiring, and it continually reminds me why I chose this profession. I am grateful to be part of the incredible NICU team at Silver Cross Hospital. Caring for our patients and families is truly a team effort, and I share this recognition with the nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and all the dedicated professionals who work together to support our babies and their families.”

She added, “I’m fortunate to be part of such a compassionate and exceptional team. It is a privilege to do this work, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to care for these patients and their families every day.”

“Angie exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a NICU nurse,” said Peggy Farrell, DNP, RN, Director of Perinatal Services at Silver Cross Hospital.

“Her clinical expertise, compassion and unwavering calm bring comfort to families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Angie has a remarkable ability to connect with both our tiniest patients and their parents, providing not only exceptional care, but also reassurance, strength and hope. We are incredibly proud of Angie and grateful for the extraordinary care she provides every day.”

The Kernan Family Legacy Award recognizes individuals who embody compassion, dedication and a lasting impact on the lives of babies and families.

Story and photo courtesy of Silver Cross Hospital.