UnityPoint Trinity Health nurse earns Daisy Award for work with newborn & mother

On August 14, 2025, Olivia Soseman went into labor four weeks early.

After delivering the baby via C-section, Soseman had about a minute to hold onto her newborn baby, Ada. The baby was then rushed out of the room and airlifted to a University of Iowa hospital with her dad, Steven Soseman.

For Olivia, that started a long 24 hours before she would see her immediate family, including their newest member, again.

"I think at the time I didn't understand how serious her diagnosis was," said Oliva.

Ada was quickly diagnosed with a congenital heart defect that affects how the blood moves through the heart and through the rest of the body. But having just given birth, that diagnosis hadn't quite felt like reality yet for Olivia.

She had the UnityPoint Trinity Health staff in Moline by her side and one nurse - Emily Blaser - who was ready to do anything she could to reunite the family.

"When you have a baby, it's like your most vulnerable time," said Blaser. "So I stayed. I made sure she was taken good care of."

Blaser stayed two hours past the end of her shift that day to make sure Olivia was recovering well and could understand where and what was going on with Ada.

"The girls helped me through it. It was kind of like hanging out with your best friends. It was nice," said Olivia.

The next day, Blaser knew Olivia needed to be reunited with her daughter and husband in Iowa City. Soseman was doing well physically but was struggling mentally, something Blaser had experienced when her own child was born.

"The only difference was my daughter was here in this NICU," said Blaser. "And I was able to see her whenever I wanted to. I can't imagine if they had to take her to Iowa City."

Blaser took it upon herself to figure out a way to get Olivia to Iowa City. First, she tried to transfer Olivia to the same hospital. Unfortunately, all the beds were full. But, because Olivia was recovering so well and she would be headed to a hospital, where help would be there if needed, Blaser figured out a plan.

"So, we came up with this whole plan to discharge her and have her go be up there so she could at least be with Ada," said Blaser. "This is why I became a nurse in the first place."

After 77 days at University of Iowa hospitals, Ada was finally able to go home for the first time.

"Ada's doing fabulous. She has had a full repair, and she is moving and grooving like a totally normal baby," said Olivia. "She's got a great personality, and she can light up any room. She loves her family and her friends, she loves dogs, and her grocery set is her favorite."

Just a few weeks ago, Ada celebrated her first birthday with family and friends.

The Sosemans decided to give back to Blaser by nominating her for the Daisy Award. The award is given to nurses who provide extraordinary and compassionate care. She was honored with the award in June.

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