Anastasia Mucha
July 2025
Anastasia
Mucha
,
RN
NICU
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto
,
Ontario
Canada
It felt like a wave of light in an otherwise dark room—a nurse who could’ve simply done her job, yet she treated our daughter as though she were her own.
Our story is no different from the thousands of parents who find themselves unexpectedly joining a club they never wanted to be part of. Hours after our daughter’s birth, she was admitted to the NICU, in a condition no parent ever hopes to see their child in. Feeling helpless and scared, we placed our trust in the doctors and nurses around us. But there was one person who stood out, someone who fundamentally reshaped our understanding of healthcare.
When our daughter was transferred to SickKids, we had no idea what to expect. From the moment we entered the NICU, we saw Anastasia in the corner, carefully adjusting our baby’s breathing machine, cleaning around her feeding tube, and softly speaking to her. We introduced ourselves, only to hear, “This girl is just a peach, and we’ve been having the best time together.” It felt like a wave of light in an otherwise dark room—a nurse who could’ve simply done her job, yet she treated our daughter as though she were her own.
We were fortunate to have Anastasia by our side until our daughter was discharged. We watched her pour so much care into our little one, always going above and beyond. She wasn’t just a nurse; she was a teacher, explaining everything with clarity and patience, never dismissive but always warm. More than that, she checked in on us as parents. Countless times, she would approach us just to see if we needed anything, offering comfort when we felt like it was impossible to feel at ease. One of our favorite moments was when, each morning, she’d enthusiastically show us the linens she’d chosen for the day, explaining how she made sure to select the best ones for our baby. Or when we, overwhelmed and confused after speaking with several doctors, would see Anastasia calmly come over, offering reassurance and empathy. “Did you understand everything? I’m sorry you’re here,” she’d say, always reminding us that “this little peach” was well cared for. As our baby began to improve, we joked that Anastasia was our good luck charm. But now, we know it wasn’t a joke at all—our daughter thrived under her care, and we are forever grateful for the peace of mind she gave us.
While Anastasia’s career may still be in its early stages, we already see how exceptional she is—and how successful she will undoubtedly be. We hope that every family who finds themselves in a situation like ours is lucky enough to have an Anastasia on their child’s care team. She is not just a fantastic nurse; she is a beacon of warmth and light. We wish her nothing but the best in her career, and we are so thankful for the way she made our journey just a little bit brighter. Anastasia is everything a nurse should be—and so much more.”
When our daughter was transferred to SickKids, we had no idea what to expect. From the moment we entered the NICU, we saw Anastasia in the corner, carefully adjusting our baby’s breathing machine, cleaning around her feeding tube, and softly speaking to her. We introduced ourselves, only to hear, “This girl is just a peach, and we’ve been having the best time together.” It felt like a wave of light in an otherwise dark room—a nurse who could’ve simply done her job, yet she treated our daughter as though she were her own.
We were fortunate to have Anastasia by our side until our daughter was discharged. We watched her pour so much care into our little one, always going above and beyond. She wasn’t just a nurse; she was a teacher, explaining everything with clarity and patience, never dismissive but always warm. More than that, she checked in on us as parents. Countless times, she would approach us just to see if we needed anything, offering comfort when we felt like it was impossible to feel at ease. One of our favorite moments was when, each morning, she’d enthusiastically show us the linens she’d chosen for the day, explaining how she made sure to select the best ones for our baby. Or when we, overwhelmed and confused after speaking with several doctors, would see Anastasia calmly come over, offering reassurance and empathy. “Did you understand everything? I’m sorry you’re here,” she’d say, always reminding us that “this little peach” was well cared for. As our baby began to improve, we joked that Anastasia was our good luck charm. But now, we know it wasn’t a joke at all—our daughter thrived under her care, and we are forever grateful for the peace of mind she gave us.
While Anastasia’s career may still be in its early stages, we already see how exceptional she is—and how successful she will undoubtedly be. We hope that every family who finds themselves in a situation like ours is lucky enough to have an Anastasia on their child’s care team. She is not just a fantastic nurse; she is a beacon of warmth and light. We wish her nothing but the best in her career, and we are so thankful for the way she made our journey just a little bit brighter. Anastasia is everything a nurse should be—and so much more.”