Juanita is the type of nurse every NICU is so grateful for, and I know there isn’t a single person in this unit who would disagree with me. She is such an inspiration and positive role model and I’m always so proud to share with parents all of the wonderful things she contributes to our unit.

Juanita sews laundry bags for all our babies. Each and every one of them! What makes these laundry bags so special is that she hand embroiders the baby’s name on them, and they are all different in pattern. Each bag is special and made with love. Parents love these laundry bags! They use them to bring clothes and blankets to and from home for their baby. (So much nicer than a green personal belongings bag.) It’s such a nice personal touch, and parents have them as a remembrance once discharged. Not only does she sew laundry bags for the babies, but she also makes covers for our isolettes, fitted covers for our developmental care items, and she even made each nurse a hand embroidered magnet name tag for our lockers.

One of the most special things I’ve seen her take the time for was a Halloween costume for one of the infants in our unit. His mother has not been able to see or visit her baby due to her own medical complications. The baby is 6 weeks old. It was heard that his mother wanted him to be Woody from Toy Story for Halloween. Seeing him in his costume would make your heart melt!!

In 25 years of working in the NICU, I have never met a nurse who has spent so much of her own personal time contributing to these special little babies. Compassionate and Extraordinary are perfect words to describe Juanita…they fit her PERFECTLY.