November 2017
Brad
Corteza
,
RN
NICU
St. David's South Austin Medical Center
Austin
,
TX
United States

 

 

 

Our family had a very rough delivery that included an early induction, long labor, and finally resulted in a c-section. Our birth plan was completely shot and as first-time parents, we were especially scared when our son was sent off to the NICU. We had no idea what to expect, but it's true that not all care is the same, some feel simply transactional and when you're feeling vulnerable it takes a toll on you mentally.
Brad Corteza broke that wall down for us and quickly made us feel whole again through laughter and his approach to educating newbie parents like us. He kept it real and simple but let us know that we were not crazy for feeling certain ways, especially about breastfeeding. It is hard and sometimes the odds are stacked against us naturally. He helped us create a very special moment with our son's first bath that we were able to share with friends and family. That was a moment we will cherish for the rest of our lives and get to tell our son about as he grows up. The best part is that he didn't have to be so personable with us. I loved telling others on the units about him and it turns out this is just how he is because he loves his job and loves these babies. I thank God for people like Brad, they are one in a million. Thanks to Brad for turning our son's birth story into a happy one.