Our 8-year-old daughter was at Levine Children’s Hospital for an extended in-patient stay with a major spine surgery, and Karina was one of the nurses who consistently stood out during our stay. She always brought a smile to our daughter’s face. Karina was patient and kind with her, consistent with care, and attentive throughout the day. It didn’t take long to notice how hardworking, committed, and well-respected Karina is among her colleagues.

It could very easily be said that every day at Levine Children’s provides an “above and beyond” event. However, it is our belief that the true “above and beyond” comes in the form of those intangibles that create a lasting memory for a patient while lifting the standard of care of the surrounding team, and that is what Karina consistently showed us as our daughter’s nurse.

One special story that stands out happened several weeks before Halloween when the kids had an opportunity to select a costume from the lobby. Our daughter’s heart was set on an angel costume to match her halo. She returned to floor 10 fighting tears of disappointment because there was no angel option. Emotions are high in a hospital for children, and some days are harder than others with expectations. Karina was her nurse that day, and along with several other LCH 10 and child-life staff, they surprised her by making the most magical, glittery angel wings and costume that afternoon to save the day!

The wings are just a symbol of the impact Karina and the nurses on LCH 10, along with the child-life staff, have made on our daughter to help make her feel as good as possible while in a halo traction, isolated at the hospital for 6 weeks, missing her friends and Halloween traditions, while she prepared for spine surgery.

Now, our daughter is sad to leave LCH, which is not a problem you expect when your child enters into a 6-week in-patient stay.