We are writing to share how truly exceptional one of your nurses, Cristina Difeo, was during our daughter E’s stay in the CVICU. Cristina cared for E on what was, without a doubt, one of the most difficult and frightening days of her hospitalization. At the time, we believed E may have had a seizure and were facing the possibility of brain damage. She was only able to say one word—"mom"—, and we were terrified.

Cristina handled that moment with a level of compassion and professionalism that we will never forget. She took the time to carefully explain everything to us, helping us understand what was happening when we felt completely overwhelmed. What stood out even more was the way she spoke to E—explaining everything she was doing, even when E could not respond. That meant more to us than words can express.

Cristina’s care did not stop when her shift ended. She went out of her way to come visit E on her own time after we were moved to the surgical step-down unit. She also chose to pick up an extra shift so she could be there during E’s endoscopy procedure. She also found ways to comfort E in moments that could have been overwhelming—like playing Usher for her during her FEES procedure and endoscopy—which helped calm her and made her feel safe. That kind of thoughtfulness meant everything to us.

There was a moment when E began improving and was finally able to communicate again. Cristina had built such trust with her that E was comfortable letting me step away briefly to get something to eat—something she would not have allowed otherwise. That speaks volumes about the connection Cristina created, not just with E, but with our entire family. Cristina Difeo is truly an extraordinary nurse. Her compassion, dedication, and genuine care made an incredibly difficult time more manageable, and we will never forget the impact she had on our daughter and our family.