Mikayla Manuel consistently provides excellent care to her patients and their families. This day was no different; we had a child come to the CVICU, emergently and unexpectedly, as do a lot of patients in the PICU and CVICU. This child was well known to us and had been in our unit for quite some time before transferring back to the NICU. His parents had been called, after some unexpected instability in the NICU that required a trip to the cardiac cath lab, and subsequently back to our CVICU. 

They showed up at the hospital with their 2 year old daughter in tow. Being respiratory viral season, most children are not allowed into the ICU, except for under extenuating circumstances. Of course, we made an exception and allowed them to bring her up during this time. The patient ultimately ended up passing shortly after arrival at our unit. Mikayla, without pause, scooped up this 2 year old little girl and entertained her in the hallway. She brought her snacks and took total care of her while the parents said their goodbyes to her baby brother. I even found her changing this little girl's diaper, so the mother didn't have to worry about her during this time. 

She went above and beyond to make sure that these parents got as much time with their baby as they possibly could to say their goodbyes. By taking care of his sister, his parents were able to be in the room and hold their baby as he passed. I know, without a doubt, those parents will be forever grateful to Mikayla. I am proud to work alongside her, and I am consistently amazed by the little things she thinks of to enhance the lives of her patients and their families.