September 2025 Honoree
Lucinda Esparza, BSN
On Monday, my worst nightmare became a reality. My daughter was hospitalized. Coming in through the door, I was angry, scared, and confused; this sweet nurse right away greeted me. I let Lucinda Esparza know my situation: that I was unaware my daughter was there, that her dad was withholding information, and that I had no clue why she was there or the extent of the situation.
Immediately, she grounded me and calmed me down, reassuring me that she would get me the answers I needed and that my daughter was under her care. Lucinda was taking good care of her, and everything was going to be okay. She took me to my daughter and got the doctor to explain everything to me and catch me up on why she was there. Through my tears and a million things going on personally, she comforted me. She then also bonded with my daughter throughout her visit.
My daughter was terrified as well. She isn’t used to being hooked up to machines, having people take vitals, and all that. She is only 4 and has never been through anything dramatic. Every time Lucinda took vitals, she played with my daughter. She befriended my little girl. She would talk to her, count with her by teaching her how to use her fingers, and she would blow raspberries with my daughter. She was also pretending to eat my daughter's feet, anything to keep her calm. It got to the point where, when they did procedures, my daughter and I wanted her there.
Lucinda made everything okay for her and less dramatic, from blood tests to ultrasounds. She would introduce her to nurses and tell them that my daughter was her special friend. My daughter would constantly call her on the phone, learning to press the nurses' symbol on the call light. Of course, Lucinda would come right away, playing with my daughter even if it was just for a moment. My daughter would sing and dance for her. On her last day with us, I was calling her Lucinda the fairy godmother. She made my daughter's nightmares into something bright and happy. She brightened up her days and made her feel safe and loved.
Immediately, she grounded me and calmed me down, reassuring me that she would get me the answers I needed and that my daughter was under her care. Lucinda was taking good care of her, and everything was going to be okay. She took me to my daughter and got the doctor to explain everything to me and catch me up on why she was there. Through my tears and a million things going on personally, she comforted me. She then also bonded with my daughter throughout her visit.
My daughter was terrified as well. She isn’t used to being hooked up to machines, having people take vitals, and all that. She is only 4 and has never been through anything dramatic. Every time Lucinda took vitals, she played with my daughter. She befriended my little girl. She would talk to her, count with her by teaching her how to use her fingers, and she would blow raspberries with my daughter. She was also pretending to eat my daughter's feet, anything to keep her calm. It got to the point where, when they did procedures, my daughter and I wanted her there.
Lucinda made everything okay for her and less dramatic, from blood tests to ultrasounds. She would introduce her to nurses and tell them that my daughter was her special friend. My daughter would constantly call her on the phone, learning to press the nurses' symbol on the call light. Of course, Lucinda would come right away, playing with my daughter even if it was just for a moment. My daughter would sing and dance for her. On her last day with us, I was calling her Lucinda the fairy godmother. She made my daughter's nightmares into something bright and happy. She brightened up her days and made her feel safe and loved.
Thank you, Lucinda, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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