Gina Secara, one of Maria Fareri Children's Hospital's NICU nurses, went above and beyond in providing care to one of our long term NICU patients. During a 4-day period, Gina decided to use her "down time" in between cares to give a chronically ill baby an experience he had never had.
After this baby had been in the NICU for more than a year with a very uncertain outcome, Gina took him down to the hospital lobby for four days in a row, twice each day, to experience the large fish tank in the lobby despite the enormous task of preparing him for safe transport off the unit.
Gina sat by him for a long time, patiently pointing out the different fish while his eyes lit up in wonderment. After his excursion, she held him and read to him. The child's father commented that his son appeared more alert and aware of his surroundings after his field trips. The infant also seemed to sleep more soundly on the nights after his trips.
Gina's exceptional dedication to take care to the next level with this long-term NICU baby provided a wonderful example for all her colleagues.