I often think about Shelby Mihalco and her impact on our short admission to the Pavilion for Women NICU before transferring to The Woodlands. Shelby was one of the first nurses my daughter had in the NICU, and while she was only assigned to care for our baby for one shift, she was one of our absolute favorite nurses! She went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and well cared for, all while prioritizing our daughter’s health and safety. The interaction that stands out most to me was the care she provided when she saw my emotional struggle. I was a new, first-time mom who had delivered prematurely, and I was craving time to bond with my new baby. I had experience working in the NICU and knew the importance and benefits of skin-to-skin contact in promoting bonding with a new baby. Because of my own recovery from my cesarean, I was not able to spend as much time with my daughter as I had hoped to in her first few days of life.
Additionally, my daughter was receiving phototherapy, keeping her restricted in isolation for a few days. Shelby recognized how important it was to me to have the opportunity to hold my daughter, and without hesitation, took action to communicate with the medical team and advocate for this crucial bonding opportunity. She made a plan with the medical team to designate some holding time and promptly communicated the plan to me. This meant so much to me. She could have easily told me it was impossible, but instead, she worked hard to make this special moment happen safely. I have worked with many nurses in my healthcare career. Still, Shelby stands out because of her ability to assess a situation, advocate for her patient’s needs, communicate plans appropriately, and prioritize safety, all while maintaining a sweet, empathetic demeanor. While the NICU journey is not an ideal experience for any family, Shelby certainly went above and beyond to make ours positive!