Nurse recognises doctor as premmie baby she cared for 28 years earlier
If you’re the sort of person who loves an amazing tale – and let’s face it who isn’t – you’re going to love this brilliant story about paths crossing almost three decades on.
“Who are you?”
Veteran neo-natal nurse Vilma Wong happened upon a new young doctor in the neonatal unit of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and became a little curious as she checked his credentials.
“Who are you?” she asked paediatric resident Brandon Seminatore, and his answer – and slightly unusual surname – immediately jogged a memory neatly filed in her genius nurse brain.
“His last name sounded very familiar,” she told the East Bay Times. “I kept asking where he was from and he told me that he was from San Jose, California, and that, as a matter of fact, he was a premature baby born at our hospital. I then got very suspicious because I remember being the primary nurse to a baby with the same last name.’’
A chance encounter at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford has led to a heart-warming reunion between nurse and…
Posted by Stanford Children's Health – Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford on Wednesday, 15 August 2018
Remembering a particular little patient she’d cared for 28 years earlier, she asked Brandon if his dad was a police officer.
“There was a big silence,’’ she said, “and then he asked if I was Vilma.’’
Read more about premmie babies:
- New program offers hope for premature babies
- Blood test may soon predict accurate due dates AND the risk of premature birth
- 25 helpful ways to support the family of a premature baby
“A surreal experience”
Brandon had weighed just two pounds six ounces when he was delivered by emergency c-section, and it was Vilma (and another brilliant nurse, Kas Pilon) who was charged with his very special care.
“Meeting Vilma was a surreal experience,’’ Brandon said of their chance reunion. “She cares deeply for her patients, to the point that she was able to remember a patient’s name almost three decades later.’’
Brandon’s mum had told him to look out for his brilliant nurses when she discovered he’d be working at the very same hospital they’d spent so much time in 28 years earlier.
“They were the most wonderful nurses,’’ Laura Seminatore confirmed. “They helped calm a lot of our fears.’’
Vilma said that meeting Brandon again brought things brilliantly full-circle.
“As a nurse, it’s kind of like your reward.’’
“We love you Auntie Vilma!”
The Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital posted the story on their Facebook page, and other locals quickly rallied to confirm that Vilma was a total champ.
“Vilma was my daughter’s primary nurse, I just simply love her !!! She has a very special place in our hearts!!!” one wrote.
“We are so grateful for Vilma!” another posted. “She was my daughter’s nurse just this past year. Her love and dedication to all the NICU babies is incredible. She really goes above and beyond, providing the absolute best care.”
“Vilma Wong was our son, Riley’s primary nurse in the NICU at LPCH!! We love her so much and she holds a special place in our hearts… We love you Auntie Vilma!!!!” someone else wrote.
What a brilliant woman!
