Eleonora Llopis
November 2025
Eleonora
Llopis
,
RN
Neonatology
Hospital Universitario Austral
,
Derqui, Pilar
Argentina
Eleonora was one of the faces of that other great family my children had—not a family of blood, but the great family of the fifth floor of Austral Hospital.
Where to begin when it comes to honoring the hidden and silent work of someone during a night shift? Yes—Eleo was the night‑shift nurse for my little baby M. in the Neonatology Unit from late 2022 until mid 2023, when he was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit after growing stronger. She was also the nurse for E., my second daughter, who was also premature, although her stay was shorter, thank God.
When we moved to the Pediatrics ward, I knew that at night, Eleo would come by to ask how M. was doing and to write to check on me as well. Eventually, my M. went to Heaven in December 2023, after celebrating his first birthday in this beloved hospital. In the days leading up to his passing, during those difficult “post‑arrest” weeks, as we were saying goodbye to our baby, Eleo came by several times to see him.
I remember with deep emotion that she gave me a small holy card of her devoted saint so that I could pray and ask God, through that saint’s intercession, especially to watch over M. and to give my husband and me the strength to get through that storm. And at the very moment M. passed away, she was in the Neonatology Unit and stopped by to see me.
Eleonora was one of the faces of that other great family my children had—not a family of blood, but the great family of the fifth floor of Austral Hospital. That is the feeling I experienced, and still experience, as a mother.
After M. passed away, Eleonora always remained very close to us through text messages, always remembering my big little baby and his sweet antics. In the same way, she continues even now to show genuine affection for E., who was born in June of this year, asking how we are doing. One morning this year, when I arrived at the Neonatology Unit, I found in E.’s crib a beautiful pink picture of the Guardian Angel, which we now have hanging in our princess’s bedroom.
To whoever may read this, I say goodbye with the hope that Eleonora receives this recognition as an outstanding nurse and guardian of the night, protector of the little babies of the dearly loved fifth floor of Austral Hospital.
When we moved to the Pediatrics ward, I knew that at night, Eleo would come by to ask how M. was doing and to write to check on me as well. Eventually, my M. went to Heaven in December 2023, after celebrating his first birthday in this beloved hospital. In the days leading up to his passing, during those difficult “post‑arrest” weeks, as we were saying goodbye to our baby, Eleo came by several times to see him.
I remember with deep emotion that she gave me a small holy card of her devoted saint so that I could pray and ask God, through that saint’s intercession, especially to watch over M. and to give my husband and me the strength to get through that storm. And at the very moment M. passed away, she was in the Neonatology Unit and stopped by to see me.
Eleonora was one of the faces of that other great family my children had—not a family of blood, but the great family of the fifth floor of Austral Hospital. That is the feeling I experienced, and still experience, as a mother.
After M. passed away, Eleonora always remained very close to us through text messages, always remembering my big little baby and his sweet antics. In the same way, she continues even now to show genuine affection for E., who was born in June of this year, asking how we are doing. One morning this year, when I arrived at the Neonatology Unit, I found in E.’s crib a beautiful pink picture of the Guardian Angel, which we now have hanging in our princess’s bedroom.
To whoever may read this, I say goodbye with the hope that Eleonora receives this recognition as an outstanding nurse and guardian of the night, protector of the little babies of the dearly loved fifth floor of Austral Hospital.