When we first met Melissa Vega in the NICU, we were overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of everything that lay ahead. We were brand new parents navigating life in the NICU with a premature baby, surrounded by unfamiliar wires, machines, and medical terms. From that very first meeting, Melissa told us she wanted to be one of our baby’s primary nurses. At the time, we didn’t fully understand what that meant, but we now know how incredibly lucky we were that she chose our child.

Melissa quickly became more than a nurse. She became one of our anchors in the storm. Her bright energy, warmth, and compassion immediately made us feel safe in her care. She never treated her shifts as routine. Instead, she consistently went above and beyond, not only for our baby’s clinical needs but for our emotional ones as parents. She took the time to explain every detail of the day and health updates, even when others might only touch on the basics. Her attention to detail, communication, and thoughtfulness made us feel like we were part of the team and that our child was in the hands of someone who genuinely cared.

Melissa empowered us to become confident parents in a space that initially made us feel so intimidated. She gently guided us in how to hold and care for our baby despite all the equipment, and she always encouraged us to take part in care. She taught us how to bond through touch, voice, and participation, and reminded us that we still had a vital role even when the NICU world felt overwhelming.

But beyond the clinical excellence, it was Melissa’s heart that made all the difference. She celebrated every milestone with us as if they were her own victories, from wearing real baby clothes for the first time to being extubated to reaching weight milestones. She would decorate the wall board with updates that made the NICU feel less like a hospital and more like a nursery full of love and hope. Knowing that Melissa was there when we couldn’t be brought us immense peace.

This journey has been the hardest experience of our lives, but having Melissa as part of our care team has been one of the greatest gifts we’ve received. We can’t imagine going through this without her, and we are forever grateful for the extraordinary compassion, skill, and humanity she brings to her work every single day. Melissa Vega is not just a nurse. She’s a healer, a teacher, an advocate, and a blessing to every family she touches.