My 1-year-old daughter was admitted to Goryeb 3 for RSV bronchiolitis. I didn’t know at the time but we would be at the hospital for a very long 8 days. We had a lot of ups and downs along the way but the person sticking out the most during our stay was Christina. I work in Morristown ED as a nurse and many of the staff just figured I knew what was going on and what the next steps would be. Being on the other side of the curtain, I was just a scared mom. Yes, I understood what was happening, but my mom's heart did not. Christina was our night nurse on either day 2 or 3 and we had her for 3 nights in a row. She was an absolute shining light! At no time did she treat me as a fellow nurse, she treated me as a mom- a scared mom. She checked on us often and refilled my water as many times as I needed. She tended to my sick daughter but also to me, a scared mom.

On one of the nights when my daughter wasn’t doing too great she talked to me awhile, explaining what the next steps would be and assuring that if a lot of people came in that it was for my daughter's own good and although scary- it was what was needed to help her. She got me through the toughest 3 nights of the stay. Fast forward to our last day on the unit, Christina had switched to days. My daughter was still having some ups and downs and Christina was there every step of the way- she came in often, helped me wash my daughter's hair, helped me change her into a new outfit now that she could wear actual clothes and was so excited for us when we were able to be off the monitors. Christina would come into the room to care for my daughter and would dance and interact with her- would converse with me like we had known each other forever- she truly made the hospital stay more comfortable just with her demeanor.

When my daughter was finally allowed to go out of the room to take a walk with me, Santa was out in the hall way-Christina was right there to grab my phone and take a picture of my daughter with Santa, she got my daughter stickers and even gave me a small hug when I cried while watching my daughter react to Santa. I’ve been a nurse for about 16 years, and I’ve dealt with all kinds of people: patients and staff- Christina is one of the best nurses I’ve dealt with- kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Christina Massa truly made a difference to my daughter and me and, I am sure, many, many other patients and families.