May 2026
Shawn Michael
Cabaluna
,
RN
5700 Pediatric ICU
Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
Loma Linda
,
CA
United States
I will be forever grateful for this moment during one of the scariest experiences of my parenthood. His compassion grounded us and brought light into a very difficult time.
I am a nurse here at LLU, and recently I found myself on the other side of care when my daughter was unexpectedly admitted to 5700, the PICU. We were blessed with many wonderful nurses throughout our stay, and we are deeply grateful to each of them. However, one nurse stood out as an extraordinary example of compassionate, holistic, and heartfelt patient care.
From the moment Nurse Shawn Cabaluna walked into our room, I could tell he was different. He immediately connected with my daughter, taking the time to learn about her interests outside the hospital. He sat beside her on the bed—while performing an amazingly thorough and attentive assessment—and talked with her about cartoons, her drawings, and anything else that sparked her smile. He even drew a picture just for her.
He listened closely to my concerns and genuinely considered how I felt she was progressing. His presence alone showed a level of care, patience, and emotional attunement that went far beyond expectations, and I was already so impressed.
Later that shift, he returned carrying a guitar. He gently asked if he could sing a song for my daughter. I immediately teared up, knowing how much she loves music.
What followed was one of the most beautiful and heartfelt moments of her entire hospitalization. As he played and sang, my daughter—despite everything attached to her—sat up, smiling, bobbing her head, and looking back and forth at my mom and me with pure joy. It was the happiest I had seen her since we arrived, and the happiness lasted the rest of the day. She kept asking me to replay the video of him singing.
It was a powerful reminder that one genuine act of kindness can create a ripple effect of comfort and healing. It reminded my mom and me that my daughter was, in fact, progressing in a positive direction and instilled hope into our hearts.
I will be forever grateful for this moment during one of the scariest experiences of my parenthood. His compassion grounded us and brought light into a very difficult time. I know this was not a one-time gesture, as he must bring his guitar to many shifts, sharing music and joy with other children who need it just as much.
Thank you, Nurse Shawn Cabaluna, for your exceptional care, your kindness, and the gift of your music. You made a lasting impact on our family, and I know countless other families feel the same.
From the moment Nurse Shawn Cabaluna walked into our room, I could tell he was different. He immediately connected with my daughter, taking the time to learn about her interests outside the hospital. He sat beside her on the bed—while performing an amazingly thorough and attentive assessment—and talked with her about cartoons, her drawings, and anything else that sparked her smile. He even drew a picture just for her.
He listened closely to my concerns and genuinely considered how I felt she was progressing. His presence alone showed a level of care, patience, and emotional attunement that went far beyond expectations, and I was already so impressed.
Later that shift, he returned carrying a guitar. He gently asked if he could sing a song for my daughter. I immediately teared up, knowing how much she loves music.
What followed was one of the most beautiful and heartfelt moments of her entire hospitalization. As he played and sang, my daughter—despite everything attached to her—sat up, smiling, bobbing her head, and looking back and forth at my mom and me with pure joy. It was the happiest I had seen her since we arrived, and the happiness lasted the rest of the day. She kept asking me to replay the video of him singing.
It was a powerful reminder that one genuine act of kindness can create a ripple effect of comfort and healing. It reminded my mom and me that my daughter was, in fact, progressing in a positive direction and instilled hope into our hearts.
I will be forever grateful for this moment during one of the scariest experiences of my parenthood. His compassion grounded us and brought light into a very difficult time. I know this was not a one-time gesture, as he must bring his guitar to many shifts, sharing music and joy with other children who need it just as much.
Thank you, Nurse Shawn Cabaluna, for your exceptional care, your kindness, and the gift of your music. You made a lasting impact on our family, and I know countless other families feel the same.