I nominate Ms. Ok Kyung Ra-Sassone, RN, AHN of NICU because of her dedication in caring, mentoring, and showing sensitivity especially during difficult times (death and dying). Many of her colleagues have seen her go the extra mile for the family to understand the condition of the baby (interpreting in Spanish for another co-worker or MD) until they verbalize that they are comfortable to make a decision or understand the information. She praises parents even for the simplest contribution they have shown and encouraged them to participate more. Ms. Ra-Sassone is also one of our CPR instructors and mentors in the NICU. She is a good resource person for family, nurses, and doctors. OK always lends a hand to co-workers who need assistance with skin-to-skin, breastfeeding and even complicated or critical patients.

The Labor and Delivery staff was very proud of OK for spending time with the family who lost a 32 weeks gestation baby. The family requested for everything to be done to resuscitate the baby but all the measures failed and the baby died. OK brought the baby to Labor and Delivery and assisted the Pediatrician in explaining the course of events in the NICU. OK uttered nothing but caring and consoling words which made the grieving process less difficult for the family.