Cristina Mendoza, BSN, RN

I would like to nominate nurse Cristina for a DAISY Award because of the extraordinary compassion, kindness, and care she showed my family during one of the most difficult times of our lives. My twin sons were born prematurely and admitted to the NICU. Tragically, one of my sons passed away, while his twin brother continued his fight in the NICU. During a time filled with grief, fear, and uncertainty, this nurse became a source of comfort, strength, and hope for our family.

She provided exceptional care to my son and always treated him with such attentiveness and genuine love. I trusted her completely and knew that when she was caring for him, he was in the best possible hands. Her professionalism and dedication were evident in every interaction.

What made her truly exceptional was the way she cared not only for my son, but for my husband and me as well. She recognized that we were navigating the unimaginable pain of losing one of our twins while trying to remain strong for our surviving son. She treated us with understanding, always taking the time to check on us, answer questions, and offer encouragement when we needed it most.

One moment that will stay with me forever was my first Mother's Day. Instead of celebrating at home with my babies, I was grieving the loss of one son while spending the day in the hospital with the other. It was an incredibly emotional and heartbreaking day. As soon as she saw me, she made it a point to come over and wish me a Happy Mother's Day. That simple act of kindness meant more than I can adequately express. In a moment when I felt overwhelmed by loss and sadness, she reminded me that I was still a mother and that my journey mattered. Her compassion brought comfort on a day that could have otherwise felt unbearable.

Throughout our NICU journey, she consistently demonstrated responsibility through her exceptional care and attention to detail; timeliness through her responsiveness and reliability; teamwork through her collaboration with the medical team and support of our family; and mercy through the genuine empathy and kindness she showed every day.

The NICU can be overwhelming for families, and some healthcare professionals have an impact that extends far beyond medical care. She was one of those people. Her positivity, warmth, and unwavering support helped carry us through some of our darkest days. She cared for our whole family, not just my son, and her influence made a lasting difference in our lives.

I will always be grateful for the love and care she gave my son and for the compassion she showed our family as we navigated both profound grief and hope at the same time. She truly embodies the spirit of nursing and deserves a DAISY Award. IMC is so lucky to have her!