September 2026 Honoree
Wajma Talib, RN
I am M’s mother. Before M was born, we knew there would be medical complications; however, we didn’t know what exactly they would be. She was born prematurely at 32 weeks and 6 days. She’s 100% my Christmas miracle because just after midnight I was told she wouldn’t make it. She fought hard and spent 151 days in the NICU, where she underwent many surgeries, was hooked up to many different machines, and received dialysis. She slowly but surely proved she was going to survive and blow us away with just how strong she is.
After graduating from the NICU, we soon learned life on a PCU is completely different. I was not ready for the transition from someone caring for your child 24/7, 1 on 1, to now, someone caring for two others plus your child. It was a huge adjustment that felt scary and uncertain because now the rules were different, schedules changed, I don’t have to ask to hold her, and I don’t have a nurse with me at bedside the whole time. It was very overwhelming and scary. However, all of that changed after meeting one amazing, kind, understanding nurse named Wajma Talib.
The moment we met, there was an instant connection. The overwhelming and anxious feelings lifted, and for the first time since moving from NICU to PCU300, I felt I could breathe. She quickly became someone we look forward to seeing every time we, unfortunately, get admitted. I have learned how to advocate for my child, what questions to ask, and when to ask them. As a frequent flyer at Stanford, we soon felt like family. PCU300 has an incredible staff who are great at making the family and patient feel comfortable. However, we feel the need to single out Wajma because she has a way of also making you feel supported and like you have a voice even if the doctors have a different view.
It wasn’t until Wajma that I started to speak up and give my opinions. Fast forward two and a half years, we got the call that there was a kidney waiting for M. The transplant we waited for was happening, and what better way to celebrate than have our favorite nurse by our side. To sum up, Wajma excels in more than just being your bedside nurse. She takes the time to help advocate for you as well as teach you how to advocate for yourself. She also makes sure all the care for your child is available and running as smoothly as possible. She not only takes care of her patients, but also their families and visitors. My family has always given Wajma praise because she makes them feel comfortable being there rather than worried or concerned that they should leave, especially during some care time. She welcomes and even shows what she’s doing to teach everyone interested. My niece has always been part of M’s care, and she is always excited to have Wajma as M’s nurse.
Words cannot justify how thankful we are to have met Wajma and how happy we are when she’s our bedside nurse or even just working a shift when we are admitted.
Dear Wajma, we love you so dearly, and even though M gives you those side eyes, she finds comfort in you that she doesn’t see in many. You are like family, and we wish you all the best, and thank you for all of the kind love you have given to us throughout our two and a half years.
After graduating from the NICU, we soon learned life on a PCU is completely different. I was not ready for the transition from someone caring for your child 24/7, 1 on 1, to now, someone caring for two others plus your child. It was a huge adjustment that felt scary and uncertain because now the rules were different, schedules changed, I don’t have to ask to hold her, and I don’t have a nurse with me at bedside the whole time. It was very overwhelming and scary. However, all of that changed after meeting one amazing, kind, understanding nurse named Wajma Talib.
The moment we met, there was an instant connection. The overwhelming and anxious feelings lifted, and for the first time since moving from NICU to PCU300, I felt I could breathe. She quickly became someone we look forward to seeing every time we, unfortunately, get admitted. I have learned how to advocate for my child, what questions to ask, and when to ask them. As a frequent flyer at Stanford, we soon felt like family. PCU300 has an incredible staff who are great at making the family and patient feel comfortable. However, we feel the need to single out Wajma because she has a way of also making you feel supported and like you have a voice even if the doctors have a different view.
It wasn’t until Wajma that I started to speak up and give my opinions. Fast forward two and a half years, we got the call that there was a kidney waiting for M. The transplant we waited for was happening, and what better way to celebrate than have our favorite nurse by our side. To sum up, Wajma excels in more than just being your bedside nurse. She takes the time to help advocate for you as well as teach you how to advocate for yourself. She also makes sure all the care for your child is available and running as smoothly as possible. She not only takes care of her patients, but also their families and visitors. My family has always given Wajma praise because she makes them feel comfortable being there rather than worried or concerned that they should leave, especially during some care time. She welcomes and even shows what she’s doing to teach everyone interested. My niece has always been part of M’s care, and she is always excited to have Wajma as M’s nurse.
Words cannot justify how thankful we are to have met Wajma and how happy we are when she’s our bedside nurse or even just working a shift when we are admitted.
Dear Wajma, we love you so dearly, and even though M gives you those side eyes, she finds comfort in you that she doesn’t see in many. You are like family, and we wish you all the best, and thank you for all of the kind love you have given to us throughout our two and a half years.
Thank you, Wajma, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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