We want to share a special moment from NANT 15 with you.
It was special, in part, because it was filled with gratitude and over a decade of memories and volunteer service – but mostly, it was unique because of the people we honored.
Vanessa Nimon, Sandra Carroll, Korilynn Snow, and AJ Lee (pictured left to right with artwork) served on the NANT Conference Committee for fifteen years – 15!!
They had no idea when they signed up for this role in 2011 that it would turn into this, and neither did we! In 2011 we were just a bunch of therapists sitting on the floor of my hotel room stuffing name badges and waiting anxiously for other people like us to arrive at the event – which at the very least was a huge professional gamble, and at most, an intentional experiment.
These are the kind of women who will run into the unknown with you – hard working, passionate, visionary, hilarious, trustworthy, and selfless in the best of ways. They understood the mission, they believed it in their hearts, and they showed up every year despite LIFE outside of NANT – their own children, schedules, priorities, and challenges.
NANT has grown by leaps and bounds since they first said yes. They have grown along with it.
Vanessa, Sandra, Kori, and AJ – thank you from the bottom of our hearts for believing in NANT, for taking the risks, the time, energy, and brain power required. And most importantly, for using a very big part of your lives to advance the care and outcomes of babies who begin their lives in the NICU and their families. For never giving up.
We wish the very best for each of you.
Thanks to Nicholas Hall and Graham’s Foundation for making it possible for us to gift this artwork by former preemie Michael (painted at age 7). We couldn’t imagine anything more meaningful to this group.
