We recently had a Jewish patient who was admitted to the MICU on Purim. We found out from Nathaniel Davidov (Nate) that Purim is a celebratory holiday, and there are lots of celebrations. This patient who was admitted received some terrible news regarding her diagnosis. Upon arrival at the unit, Nate said “Happy Purim” in Hebrew, and the patient had tears of joy! This meant so much to her, and it was written all over her face.

Nate knew he had to do something to boost her spirits. He reached out to his community and was able to get a group of individuals to recite the Jewish prayer known as the Megillah. Nate was going to do anything he could to get them here. He was going to pay for an Uber to bring them here from Rego Park. They arrived at the hospital, and with the patient’s permission, they read the Megillah. This was an amazing moment for this patient, and we know she will never forget it. Again, this is bringing us back to the “art” of nursing.