May 2026 Honoree
Sacmimi Ngefor Sharon Ngunu, BSN, RN
I am honored to nominate Sharon Ngunu for the extraordinary family-centered care she provided to my son during a critical and deeply stressful ER visit for seizures at Children’s National Hospital.
From the moment we arrived, Sharon demonstrated exceptional clinical excellence. She immediately began the assessment, asking thoughtful, precise questions about his baseline and proactively collaborating with providers. She anticipated needs rather than reacting to them, ensuring timely and appropriate care in a high-acuity situation. Her clinical judgement and attention to details reflected the highest standards of safety and excellence.
What sets her apart is how she embodies children’s National’s commitment to family-centered care, respect and advocacy.
During our time in the ER, an inappropriate and unprofessional comment was made about me and my family by another staff member. In that moment, Sharon demonstrated remarkable integrity and professionalism. She addressed it immediately, stating clearly, “That has not been my experience with this family,” reinforcing a culture of respect and dignity. She then took decisive action to uphold a safe and respectful care environment. She promptly escalated the concerns through appropriate channels, including communication with the PICU team, and ensured that our family would not be placed in the care of the individual who had spoken inappropriately. Her actions reflected deep commitment to psychological safety, accountability, and patient- and family-centered care.
Throughout this experience, Sharon never lost sight of the human side of care. She checked on me as a parent, ensured I felt safe, and took the time to connect with compassion and authenticity. She assured me, encouraged me, and reminded me that I was advocating well for my child, an act of kindness that had a profound impact in a moment of fear and uncertainty.
Even after her shift had ended, she chose to stay. She ensured a safe and supportive transition to our new room, confirmed that our next nurse was kind and attentive, and prioritized continuity of care. This level of dedication reflects not only professionalism but genuine commitment to the well-being of her patients and their families.
Sharon exemplifies the very best of Children’s National Hospital- clinical excellence, integrity, teamwork, and unwavering compassion. She did more than care for my son; she protected our dignity, advocated for our safety, and restored our trust in a vulnerable moment. We will never forget her.
From the moment we arrived, Sharon demonstrated exceptional clinical excellence. She immediately began the assessment, asking thoughtful, precise questions about his baseline and proactively collaborating with providers. She anticipated needs rather than reacting to them, ensuring timely and appropriate care in a high-acuity situation. Her clinical judgement and attention to details reflected the highest standards of safety and excellence.
What sets her apart is how she embodies children’s National’s commitment to family-centered care, respect and advocacy.
During our time in the ER, an inappropriate and unprofessional comment was made about me and my family by another staff member. In that moment, Sharon demonstrated remarkable integrity and professionalism. She addressed it immediately, stating clearly, “That has not been my experience with this family,” reinforcing a culture of respect and dignity. She then took decisive action to uphold a safe and respectful care environment. She promptly escalated the concerns through appropriate channels, including communication with the PICU team, and ensured that our family would not be placed in the care of the individual who had spoken inappropriately. Her actions reflected deep commitment to psychological safety, accountability, and patient- and family-centered care.
Throughout this experience, Sharon never lost sight of the human side of care. She checked on me as a parent, ensured I felt safe, and took the time to connect with compassion and authenticity. She assured me, encouraged me, and reminded me that I was advocating well for my child, an act of kindness that had a profound impact in a moment of fear and uncertainty.
Even after her shift had ended, she chose to stay. She ensured a safe and supportive transition to our new room, confirmed that our next nurse was kind and attentive, and prioritized continuity of care. This level of dedication reflects not only professionalism but genuine commitment to the well-being of her patients and their families.
Sharon exemplifies the very best of Children’s National Hospital- clinical excellence, integrity, teamwork, and unwavering compassion. She did more than care for my son; she protected our dignity, advocated for our safety, and restored our trust in a vulnerable moment. We will never forget her.
Thank you, Sacmimi Ngefor Sharon, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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