During our son, M's, stay in the CICU at Texas Children's Hospital, Angela Lam made a meaningful and unforgettable difference during one of the most emotional moments of our lives. After M's birth, we had only been able to hold him for a brief minute before he was rushed to the CICU to prepare him for his D-TGA surgery. As new parents, not being able to hold and comfort our baby was heartbreaking. Angela recognized how much it meant for us to bond with our son, and she worked tirelessly to make that possible. She carefully monitored his condition, adjusting his care to prepare him to be stable enough for us to hold him again. It wasn't just about clinical skill. Angela connected deeply with him as a person. She would talk to us about how he loved mommys milk and how he slept better after feeds, how his CO2 levels would shift when he was upset, and what positions helped him feel most comfortable. She treated him with such tenderness, constantly communicating with him, soothing him with gentle pats, and making sure he felt loved even when we couldn't physically be by his side.

While ultimately our son's condition did not allow us to hold him, we wanted to recognize the great length Angela went through to try to make it happen. Regardless, witnessing how tenderly Angela cared for our infant comforted us, knowing that not only was he in good hands, but with individuals who truly cared for him. Because of nurses such as Angela, we were able to make tough decisions, such as not staying by our son's side all the time and going home instead to take care of ourselves while our baby took his course of treatment. One thing that Angela said to us which really sat deep in our heart was that, "...for the duration of our 12 hour shift, these babies are our own kids and we care for them just like our own." Angela Lam didn't just care for our baby's medical needs; she cared for his heart and for ours. Her compassion, empathy, and devotion made an extraordinary difference in our lives, and we are forever grateful.