Zoya deserves recognition due to the exceptional care she provided to me and my husband. After having high blood pressure during my scheduled OB appointment, I was admitted to the antepartum unit, where I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. This is where I met one of the most competent and compassionate nurses I have ever encountered. When she walked into the room, I instantly got the feeling that I was going to be taken care of, and everything was okay.

Even though I knew she had other patients she was caring for, I always felt like her top priority. She sat down with my husband and me, checked in on us several times to see how we were doing, thoroughly explained all discharge instructions, made sure we didn’t have any questions and that we both understood what these diagnoses meant for us going forward in our pregnancy.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, during another appointment, I again had elevated blood pressure readings and was admitted again for monitoring. Zoya recognized me and came in to do my vitals. She helped to make light of the situation, which really helped both my husband and me to keep our spirits up, along with not worrying so much about the unknowns of what was to come. I was scheduled for a c-section in a few days at 34 weeks gestation.

I did the best I could to keep it together mentally and emotionally at first, but Zoya could tell that I wasn’t okay. She closed the door to our room, held my hand, comforted me, was totally there for me. She allowed me that minute I needed to just let my emotions out. Zoya continued to always be on top of it, whether it was vitals, giving meds, or just checking to make sure I was okay.

I would need to be put on a magnesium drip after my c-section , so I would not be able to see my son for 24 hours after giving birth. The next day, with my husband being split now between the NICU with our son, and checking in on me, it left me alone for a lot of that day, and I thought that time would move so slowly.

However, anytime Zoya would enter my room she would make sure to let me know she was counting down with me until I could see my son, which really helped keep my spirits up. She continued to stay on top of my care, she asked how my son was doing, to see pictures of him, and asked how I was doing both physically and emotionally. She did everything that she could so that I would be ready to head over to the NICU to meet my son.

We thought that would be the last we would see of her, but we were wrong. After 3 days in the postpartum unit, showing signs of severe postpartum preeclampsia and had to be transferred back to the antepartum unit. The first thing I did was ask if Zoya was working. As soon as my husband and I heard that she was, so many of the scared and frustrating feelings we had were put at ease.

Within 2 hours she got me all situated to the point where I was able to go and go see my son in the NICU. Zoya told me not to worry about rushing back to get my medicine or blood pressure checked and that she would find me when it was time, to try and relax and enjoy spending some time with my son. It made me extremely happy and at ease that I was able to continue to make sure my health was being taken care of while being there for my son as well. My husband and I could not thank Zoya enough for the care and compassion she showed both of us during my stay at Hillcrest Hospital.