Nurses earn DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award

Jean Christopher (left) and Julie Krebs were honored with 2025 DAISY Lifetime Achievement Awards.

It was a double dose of celebration April 16 when Akron Children’s nurses Jean Christopher and Julie Krebs received the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors nurses who have dedicated their lives to delivering compassionate patient care, mentoring their fellow nurses and promoting a positive image of nursing.

About Jean Christopher, MSN, APRN-CNS, FCNS

Jean is a clinical nurse specialist in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Akron. She’s been a nurse for 40 years, working the past 22 years at Akron Children’s. Jean was inducted as a clinical nurse specialist fellow for her contributions to the field of clinical nurse specialist and is currently serving on the board of trustees for the Clinical Nurse Specialist Institute.

“Jean is the definition of ‘best practice.’ She surveys, audits, and assists staff in maintaining evidence- based bundles. She’s spent her career developing as a clinical and professional expert,” said PICU Staff Nurse Joshua Lock, who nominated Jean for the award. “Jean is supportive and assists nurses wishing to participate in professional growth through projects.”

Rebecca Clark, PICU clinical nurse manager, also nominated Jean. “She drives the initiative to reduce Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI), not only for the PICU but the entire Akron Children’s organization, and her work is an awesome example of her transformational leadership,” Rebecca said. “Not only does Jean excel in the academic and professional nature of her job, but her ability to comfort families and patients is exceptional. She is approachable, collaborative, authentic and a fierce advocate. Jean is respected not only for her title but for who she is, as well as her contributions to the unit, organization and profession as a whole.”

Jean followed in her grandmother’s footsteps when choosing a nursing career. “I adored my grandmother, and I went into nursing because of her influence,” she said. “I love being able to help children and families when they are their most vulnerable. I have a different role than a bedside nurse. I love working with the different disciplines, helping with complicated situations, and coming up with solutions for the patient and family.”

About Julie Krebs, BSN, RN, CLC

Julie is a staff nurse and certified lactation consultant at the Akron Children’s Special Care Nursery at Wooster Community Hospital. She started her nursing career in the Akron Children’s PICU in 1986.

“Patients and families request Julie because she is so patient and nurturing,” said Staff Nurse Beth Tucker, who nominated Julie for the award. “Julie received her Certified Lactation Consultant license to help the mothers of newborn and premature infants during their initial, crucial bonding and feeding experiences. She lives with her heart and faith. It is evident in her daily life, even the smallest actions.”

Rachel Sweeney, staff nurse at the Wooster Special Care Nursery, also nominated Julie. “The way Julie takes care of such a broad population of families and newborns while catering every patient/family interaction in an individualized, compassionate manner blows my mind every time I get to witness her work at the bedside,” she shared. “If over the years I become half the nurse that Julie is, I will have achieved greatness at the bedside.”

Julie didn’t wrestle with any decisions about a career: She always wanted to be a nurse. “There is nothing else I have ever wanted to be,” she said. “You get the privilege of coming into patients’ lives at a point when they are most vulnerable, and you are allowed to share in their joy and even in their sadness. My patients have touched my heart and help shape me into the nurse I am today.”

And the winners are …

When the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award winners were announced, Jean felt overwhelmed. “It is such a huge honor to be recognized for the work that I have done over my career,” she said. “It makes me very happy and gives me a sense of pride to see nurses at the bedside become experts in the care they provide or advance in their career and know that I had some positive influence over them.”

Julie felt surprised and humbled when she heard her name. “I never expected to win an award for just doing something that I love to do,” she said. “I’ve always been blessed to work with some amazing co-workers who have become more like family. Both they and my patients are the ones who inspire me to do better and to still love my job after all these years.”