Felina Sarmiento
December 2025
Felina
Sarmiento
,
RN
DCT 3
Duke University Hospital
Durham
,
NC
United States
Though he was sedated and still, she spoke to him by name, told him what she was doing, and treated him like a whole person. Not just a patient — but a beloved child.
L was just 5 months old when he underwent open-heart surgery for a large VSD. After the operation, we were taken to the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit — a place we never imagined we’d be. Seeing our tiny baby sedated, intubated, and connected to countless wires and machines was beyond heartbreaking. It was one of the hardest moments of our lives.
Then Felina walked in. From the moment she stepped into the room, something shifted. Felina brought with her a sense of calm, compassion, and confidence that we didn’t even know we needed. She didn’t just take care of L’s complex post-op needs — she held all of us together.
She explained every monitor, every medication, every intervention — with clarity, patience, and respect. When you’re a parent in the ICU, you cling to every word. And Felina’s voice became the one we trusted most.
But it wasn’t just her medical expertise that made her exceptional — it was the way she saw L. Though he was sedated and still, she spoke to him by name, told him what she was doing, and treated him like a whole person. Not just a patient — but a beloved child.
And she saw us, too. Two terrified parents, breaking apart inside. She never rushed us. She answered our endless questions and made space for our tears. One night, when I broke down at his bedside, Felina gently placed her hand on my shoulder and said, “You don’t have to be strong right now. I’ve got him. I’ve got you.”
Those words will stay with me forever.
Even after he was stable and transferred out of the PCICU, Felina came to visit — just to check in. Not because she had to, but because she cared. That kind of compassion is rare. That kind of nurse changes lives.
Felina was our light in the darkest moment. She brought healing not just to his body, but to our hearts as well. We will never forget the way she cared for our family — and we’ll be forever grateful.
Then Felina walked in. From the moment she stepped into the room, something shifted. Felina brought with her a sense of calm, compassion, and confidence that we didn’t even know we needed. She didn’t just take care of L’s complex post-op needs — she held all of us together.
She explained every monitor, every medication, every intervention — with clarity, patience, and respect. When you’re a parent in the ICU, you cling to every word. And Felina’s voice became the one we trusted most.
But it wasn’t just her medical expertise that made her exceptional — it was the way she saw L. Though he was sedated and still, she spoke to him by name, told him what she was doing, and treated him like a whole person. Not just a patient — but a beloved child.
And she saw us, too. Two terrified parents, breaking apart inside. She never rushed us. She answered our endless questions and made space for our tears. One night, when I broke down at his bedside, Felina gently placed her hand on my shoulder and said, “You don’t have to be strong right now. I’ve got him. I’ve got you.”
Those words will stay with me forever.
Even after he was stable and transferred out of the PCICU, Felina came to visit — just to check in. Not because she had to, but because she cared. That kind of compassion is rare. That kind of nurse changes lives.
Felina was our light in the darkest moment. She brought healing not just to his body, but to our hearts as well. We will never forget the way she cared for our family — and we’ll be forever grateful.