Rene was a source of strength to me when I was dealing with my premature baby. He was born at 24 weeks and was very sick. She knew he was a complicated case, but she chose him as her primary anyway. She did not shy away from this baby and his struggles; she accepted him and us. She provided excellent care to him and talked openly and frankly to us about his problems without over-stepping her boundaries.

Rene was there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on. Her knowledge of the neonatal/prematurity issues my son was facing was evident. She was there to explain things that were happening and to support me when I spoke with the doctors. She gave me encouragement to move forward and continue loving and bonding with my baby throughout his stay in the NICU.

In the end, my baby passed away. He was born too early, and his brain didn't develop as it should have. Rene stayed with us on that last day even though her shift was done. She was invested in our well-being as well as my son's. I believe she knew long before I did that things were really bad, but she kept up the fight with me. As sad of an experience as this was, I am thankful to have experienced it with Rene at my side. This life-changing experience was more bearable because of Rene's caring and compassion.