Bonita has been caring for a child in our Heart Center who is awaiting heart transplant. This child has been very sick and is now starting to rehabilitate, and get stronger so that she is better able to handle a transplant operation. This child has been so debilitated from months of critical care that she has had to relearn to walk, talk (with a trach) and tolerate any nutrition. Bonita came up with the idea of encouraging the child to walk by creating a scavenger hunt around the Heart Center. The child would have to go looking around the unit, thus walking, to find the items. And, when completed, she would get a prize.

This is an example of the exceptional service that Bonita provides to all of our patients every day. She ensures that they find a way to have fun and not realize that they are continuing to heal. This child who has struggled to walk, was walking down the halls, using her voice, getting stronger--all while she thought that she was just on a fun scavenger hunt that Bonita created for her. Bonita never treats her patients like they are ill-they are children who are wanting to have fun; they just have to find fun in creative ways.