We are writing to you today to recognize the entire team in the MICU for the professionalism, empathy, and overall excellent care they provided to our mother during her last day of life. Our mother was at NYU Langone Hospital in Mineola, starting in the emergency room around 1 PM on March 22nd, and as her blood pressure dropped, she was transferred to the MICU on the morning of March 23rd.

When I arrived at the hospital on the 23rd, Nurse Nicole Genco quickly introduced herself and gave me a thorough update on Mom’s condition and actions that had transpired. Shortly thereafter, Dr Mohamed Rupani chatted with me and gave me a complete and detailed summary of Mom’s status and steps that would be taken to help Mom and keep her comfortable. Although the situation was a dire one, both Nurse Genco and Dr Rupani showed compassion and genuine interest in keeping us informed with honest information about Mom’s prognosis. The way they spoke was very calm and soothing, and helped us be more at ease. They treated us so well and gave us as much time as we needed to be with Mom as her condition worsened. The time they gave us enabled many family members to get to the hospital to say their last goodbyes. When the time came when Mom was ready to go, we were able to surround and hold her as she took her last breaths.

I can’t express enough our gratitude for the way Nurse Genco and Dr Rupani treated us and the compassion they showed towards Mom. In this day and age of for-profit healthcare and at times a lack of sensitivity, Nurse Genco and Dr Rupani are shining stars. It must be a very difficult and emotional job for them to deal with on a daily basis. Other members in the MICU who also assisted with Mom were Dr Sachsenmeier, Dr Krishna, Dr Mastroianni, and Dr Realis. We very much hope the hospital can find a special way to acknowledge all of them for their service.