PETALS Recognition Program

PETALS Honoree: Dr. Pavneet Sandhu

December 2024

Although I already wrote a PETAL for all of the residents that took care of my son Travis, I felt it was befitting to write just one more to highlight the superior care and attention that Dr. Sandhu gave us after discharge to further ensure the ACCURACY AND SAFETY OF MY SON’S CARE CONTINUED outpatient. We have been through 20 or more discharges and I always hear the words you can call us if you need anything and I’ve even tried to call back after certain discharges and never could get answers or the help that I needed but this discharge was different. I reached out to several people on Thursday, December 26 when I noticed some discrepancies in the discharge prescriptions that were sent to our dosing pharmacy. Nervous, anxious, and so concerned I called back to 5 Tower to try to gain clarity on the changes that were made to ensure that we were not going to end up back in the hospital due to medication errors. After talking to several people on Thursday, I still could not get a real sense of what needed to be done but lo and behold Dr. Sandhu called me on Friday. We went over the prescriptions, recognized where the errors were and corrected those. And after having the conversation with Dr. Sandhu, so much anxiety and stress was released from me which in turn allowed me to focus on the care and rejuvenation of my son.

I can’t tell you how much that phone call meant. The fact that she took time out of her extremely busy day to bring clarity and confirmation so that I can continue here at home and not end up in the hospital was so heartwarming. I don’t take her efforts lightly and I’m so glad and grateful that she was a part of Travis’s care because she knew exactly what was going on and what was being done from a day-to-day basis which made the conversation even that much more important I always tell people that my resident doctors are the most important doctors on the team because they’re in the patient’s room day and day out gathering tons of information and I’m so grateful that Dr. Sandhu was a very active part of this admission and she handled the discharge concerns even better than I could’ve imagined. I don’t think she quite understood how much relief she brought me after having that confirmation and providing the updated information so that I can continue his care at home. I value Nicklaus Children's Hospital, but I value the staff who goes above and beyond even more. I just felt that the way she handled my concerns and provided me the ability to continue to safely take care of my son was priceless. Thank you so much, Dr. Sandhu for helping us on Friday. We appreciate you and are so blessed to have you as a part of TRAVIS’s care team.​

PETALS Honoree: Emely Alvarez (Homestead UCC)

November 2024

I am honored to recognize Emely Alvarez for her exceptional dedication to patient care and her unwavering commitment to excellence. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure each patient receives the highest level of care, demonstrating compassion, professionalism, and genuine kindness in every interaction. Her positive attitude and willingness to support her colleagues make her an invaluable member of our team. Emely Alvarez embodies the true spirit of teamwork and patient advocacy, and her contributions make a meaningful difference every day. We are fortunate to have someone of her caliber on our team. Thank you for all you do.

PETALS Honoree: Zahmilia Fance, Chief of Phlebotomy Operations

October 2024

If I may, I would like to express my feelings and take just a few minutes of your time. My name is Lissette. I am a mother to a nine-year-old autistic boy. Who also has nine other diagnosis. Until last year, my son spent four years without being able to get lab work done due to being turned away because of his condition. Last year I was referred to Zahmilia Fance by Dr. Omar Becker. Ms. Fance Is simply outstanding in her profession. Not only was she able to draw his blood, but she was quick and with the first poke. Within the four years that I was unable to get his lab work done, I was constantly accused by doctors that I wasn’t trying. The fact is no phlebotomy tech wants the liability on their hands. So what is a parent in my position supposed to do?

I expressed my gratitude to her today for her help and her patience. The way she comforted my son (and myself because I was nervous for him) was so kind and comforting. The way she explained step-by-step what she was going to do was so professional. It is very difficult to find someone so experienced in their job and have proper bedside manners. I would also like to comment on her punctuality. My experience with her has always been on time. It is my opinion that Nicklaus Children's Hospital needs every employee to be like her. I simply don’t know what I would do if she was not an employee with your facility. With all this being said, I believe more people need to write letters/emails with positive comments and not just complaints. I am very grateful to Nicklaus Children's, especially Ms. Fance for the help you have provided for my son. I really appreciate you all.

PETALS Honoree: Chaplin Hadson Solis

September 2024

Dear Priest Solis, I give God special thanks for you and for your ministry to me and my grandson Gheaven. You prayed with and for us at some of the most crucial times for us at NCH. On 09th June, 2024, when my grandson lost consciousness due to a lack of oxygen and it took the doctors about 25 minutes to revive him, you came and prayed with us and the Lord restored my grandson back to me. Thank you for your prayers and for being an effective and faithful servant of God!! You were our angel on that day.
 

My grandson was in hospital for over five months and the doctors were unable to successfully treat his low platelets. I suggested to that that a particular medication that he was taking was probably destroying his platelets but they dismissed my suggestion on a number of occasions. It was not until I requested you to pray for Gheaven's platelets to return to the normal count that the doctors finally decide to go along with my suggestion and change the said medication. You came to Gheaven's room on 23rd July, 2024 for God to heal his platelets and on the 26th July, 2024, the doctors finally changed the medication that I was requesting them to change for the past 8 days and within 7 days of the change, Gheaven's platelets moved from a 7 to 346. Miraculous!! Thank you for your prayers!! Thank God for the healing!! I returned to the Bahamas in August of this year. On 4th September, 2024, I was informed that Gheaven was critically ill and you came and prayed with him.
 

To God be the glory for your faithfulness and ministry to my grandson and to others. You are one of our greatest destiny helpers!! May the Lord Bless you and your ministry beyond measure and may he continue to lead, guide, and protect you always!! Please say a special thank you for me to all of the people and the organizations that make it possible for you to minister at NCH. May the Lord Bless them all greatly and may they never lack anything. Blessings and favor on you and your family and continue to be faithful in the service of God and you would receive your eternal reward from him!!

PETALS Honoree: Yoeliz Martinez (Float Pool)

August 2024

I would like to recognize Yoeliz for all of the support she provides to those around her as a patient care technician. Yoeliz always goes above and beyond to ensure that her patients are well taken care of, her peers have the support they need, and does it all with a smile on her face. Whenever I have the pleasure of working with Yoeliz I know my patients are in good hands! She is able to anticipate their needs as well as the needs of the unit. She is detail oriented, ensuring all vitals, Is & Os, and hygiene care are completed in a timely manner, all while displaying true kindness and patience in the process. She is always offering her help to those around her and it is evident that she truly cares for her coworkers and patients alike, quickly alerting nurses to any change in patient condition she is made aware of.
 

Anytime I ask for assistance she quickly and happily completes the task. She truly makes a positive impact of the day of those around her and I credit her presence to how smooth my day is able to go!! Throughout her busy day she even finds time to spend quality time with patients, such as singing to them and making friendship bracelets! Yoeliz has a strong work ethic while maintaining her empathetic nature and it’s truly admirable to witness. Whenever she is assigned to my patients I know I have nothing to worry about and have all of the support I can ask for.

Thank you for all that you do you are so appreciated!!!!

PETALS Honoree: Ivan Santa-Maria, BHT (Psychiatry Unit)

July 2024

When it comes to excellence, Ivan always exceeds himself in demonstrating his capacity to achieve it. Whether an urgent situation presents itself or simply by establishing an effective flow of operation, Ivan is incredibly committed to not only ensuring the safety of patients and staff, but to providing exemplary leadership. Much can be learned from such a reliable coworker, and a million thanks wouldn’t be enough to express my gratitude for his guidance and support. Ivan is able to bring out the best in his fellow BHTs and promote many of the values that go such a long way in our unit. Your hard work and unwavering dedication is inspiring!

PETALS Honoree: Omar Gonzalez (5T)

June 2024

Omar has always been helpful since he first started. I remember when he was orienting, I needed help with a patient and when no one came to help, he instantly went over to help me bathe a patient and change them without any hesitation. He was not my assigned care assistant that day, but he still felt the need to help in any way he could.

Every time I need something he is quick to respond and is always going around to see what the parents and patients need. He always has a positive attitude at work and treats everyone with respect. Omar is always helping all the nurses whenever they need something whether he is assigned to their patients or not. He even helps other care assistants when needed to give total care patients a bath or for other needs that require assistance.

I always receive great feedback from my patients and their families about him. Also, whenever we have a 1:1 he goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is safe, while reassuring the family during difficult times. On one occasion we had a very challenging patient that was a 1:1 but Omar managed to patiently work with the patient and the mom throughout their long stay even after several violent outbursts from the patient that caused him to be injured. He still never gave up and kept helping them continuously.

Families really appreciate all he does and so do we. His hard work and dedication display he is a true asset to the team!​

PETALS Honoree: Dr. Richard Couce

May 2024

I wholeheartedly nominate Dr. Couce for his exemplary response during a recent respiratory arrest incident in Palmetto Bay. Dr. Coucie's quick thinking and intuitive actions were nothing short of remarkable as he seamlessly coordinated the team's efforts, ensuring swift and effective intervention. His calm demeanor and decisive leadership provided much-needed reassurance during a critical moment. Dr. Couce's dedication to patient care and his ability to remain composed under pressure embody the highest standards of medical professionalism, making him truly deserving of recognition for his outstanding contribution to healthcare.

PETALS Honoree: Dr. Americo Padilla, Chief, Department of Pediatric Psychiatry

April 2024

I am delighted to nominate Dr. Padilla for the PETALS Award. Serving as the Chief Psychiatrist at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for over two decades, Dr. Padilla embodies the epitome of dedication, expertise, and compassion in the field of psychiatry. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Padilla has exhibited a profound commitment to educating all members of the interdisciplinary team. His efforts have been instrumental in shaping behavioral health pathways, ensuring the seamless integration of evidence-based practices into patient care.

 

Dr. Padilla is not only a leader in clinical practice but also a beacon of support and encouragement for their colleagues. In recognizing the challenges of the healthcare environment, Dr. Padilla consistently goes above and beyond to acknowledge and uplift the staff, fostering a culture of appreciation and camaraderie.

 

Furthermore, Dr. Padilla demonstrates an unwavering commitment to patient care, always willing to go the extra mile to ensure their well-being. His collaboration with nursing staff to educate them on psychotropic medication not only empowers the nursing team but also enhances patient safety. In conclusion, Dr. Padilla is a remarkable individual whose contributions have significantly enriched the field of psychiatry at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. His dedication to education, collaboration, and patient care is truly commendable, making his an exceptional candidate for this nomination.

PETALS Honoree: Erin Egan (Child Life Specialist)

March 2024

Last Friday March 22, the emergency department grieved after the loss of a 6-month-old girl. It was a very difficult moment for everyone, I found myself trying to hold it together and focus on how to support the family and staff. In that moment I stood back, and one person stood out among everyone, Erin. Erin was on the floor holding the father and the mother putting every bit of herself into them. She never broke down, she never stepped away, she only focused on them and what they needed. Erin's job was far from over as she then proceeded to support the sibling who was only 9 and needed someone to help her understand it all. Amidst it all, she even found time to get me water and ensure I was ok.


I sit here in front of this computer typing this Pedal nomination with tears in my eyes because no one deserves this award and recognition more than Erin. Erin embodies the essence of compassion and dedication as a child life specialist who extends her support to families navigating the aftermath of loss. With a profound understanding of grief and bereavement, Erin serves as a beacon of strength and solace during one of life's most challenging experiences. Her approach is marked by genuine empathy and a deep respect for the grieving process. Through her gentle guidance and unwavering support, she empowers families to find healing and meaning during profound loss. Her commitment to advocating for families after a death is rooted in a belief that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion, even in the darkest of times. Erin's tireless dedication to her role as a child life specialist leaves a lasting impact on the lives of those she serves, offering hope and healing amid the depths of grief.

 

We are forever grateful for the impact Erin makes and so lucky to have her part of this incredible team. Please help me recognize her and her devotion in this situation and all the past and future ones. As Erin truly is the PETAL we all need.​

PETALS Honoree: Dr. Maggie Fader

February 2024

While there are many doctors who practice excellent medicine, Dr. Fader always goes above and beyond. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities of simply being a doctor, Dr. Fader is very active in the local community to help bring awareness to pediatric cancer. Community support is crucial for our patient population as it helps to provide resources for children and their families who have had to deal with the unthinkable. Countless patients have benefited from these resources, and it would not have been possible without her efforts. For example, after noticing an ongoing toy shortage in the infusion unit and 6-Tower, she took it upon herself to start a toy drive at her children's school. Hundreds of toys were delivered to her house, and she meticulously organized and personally delivered them to make sure all children had toys for Christmas! To top off her community engagement, she also serves in many executive positions for non-profit organizations. She is on the board of directors for the Children's Bereavement Center and serves as a medical advisor for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

In terms of the care she provides, it is always personalized. I don't know how it's possible to remember all that she does for each patient. From lengthy chemotherapy protocols to the patient's (and even parent’s) favorite hobbies/food/colors/toys and even their birthday! She always makes every patient feel heard, empowered, and special. Even for the patients given a terminal diagnosis, she does her best to ensure their time left on this earth is lived to the fullest, always considering their quality of life when choosing a treatment plan. A recent patient passed away, and she made sure to be at the funeral services 3 hours away. Dr. Fader also has a close rapport with her colleagues, always treating us with respect and providing us with the same level of care she does for her patients. She is always available, day or night, and does her best to respond to us as soon as possible. She brings bagels for the staff on weekends before rounds and contributes coffee to the unit supply to make sure all nurses are happy and well fed! She epitomizes the very essence of what this award stands for, and we cannot think of anyone more deserving of recognition for her profound contributions and the lives she impacts every day!

PETALS Honoree: Dr. Kristen Stabingas

January 2024

"From the start Dr. Stabingas exceeded every expectation of what I thought a surgeon would be like. My daughter was dealing with enlarged brain cavity and was in need a shunt. Of course, I was nervous when I first got to Nicklaus Children's. After meeting her, my worry was gone. God placed her in our lives to do my daughter’s surgery for a reason. Every single procedure, test, or ultrasound, Dr. Stabingas called us personally and shared results. Her compassion just made me feel so safe and I knew she cared. But what really got me was when Sage was having eye issues and needed the shunt immediately after Christmas and Dr. Stabingas was on holiday. The plan was for another surgeon to do the surgery on a Friday. However, Dr. Stabingas came back early from holiday, moved her schedule around to do the surgery herself on Thursday. I was so touched. Kristen is a remarkable surgeon who has the biggest heart. Thank you so much for being in my daughter’s life!"

PETALS Honoree: Sasha Carrion, Unit Coordinator of 3S

December 2023

​This week, I had a particularly hectic shift. I was taking care of a fairly complex patient, who took most of my time, and a baby with around-the-clock feedings and had no guardian at bedside. Sasha made sure to help me with the feedings, rock him in the chair, soothe him whenever he cried, and carry him around as if he was her own child. I didn’t ask Sasha to do this for me; it came from the kindness of her heart. I want to let her know that her work is appreciated, especially when she goes the extra mile to help out the nurses in our unit. I want to recognize her with a Petals nomination to thank Sasha for all she does to help out!

PETALS Honoree: David Magrisso, EMT

November 2023

David arrived in the office to start his shift and at the same time the code pager went off, for an incoming code orange via air. He immediately jumped into action, dropped his lunch bag, grabbed a cart and ran down to the ED to provide assistance as needed. His dedication to the patients & love for his job is very apparent. David is always where we need him to be. He is definitely an asset to the IV team and the hospital. Thank you, David, for all that you do! It is appreciated! 

PETALS Honoree: Dr. Sophia Hassor​

October 2023

Dr. Hassor truly goes above and beyond for her patients. She utilizes all resources possible to ensure that her patients are always fully taken care of. Her empathy, dedication, and compassion for the care of her patients is exemplary. She always goes out of her way to ensure that are taken care of medically, socially and emotionally.

PETALS Honoree: Clara Gallardo, GI Tech/CA2

September 2023

Clara was an angel with my son. Since the very beginning she was funny, silly, sincere, and compassionate. She made him laugh, joking from the other side of the curtain. She always spoke to him at his level, asked what he needed and provided several options. It really made a difference how she treated him. Clara really made a huge impact on us - transforming a scary medical procedure for my child into a challenging adventure! We loved her and wish all the nurses were that friendly and loving.

PETALS Honoree: Karla Filosa, M.A., Ed. CCLSIII

August 2023

We have a patient/family in PICU who is known us for a very long time. Karla went above and beyond and did a Movie Night for the patient and family. She brought in a live cinema and box with movie night candy and refreshments. Many patients and families unfortunately stay in the hospital for a very long time and Karla went above and beyond to bring the outside to the patient's room. This is just one small example of the work Karla does for every patient and family she encounters. Her wealth of knowledge is remarkable. Her advocacy and compassion for the patients and families is seen in her everyday work. In addition, she decorates the unit through every season for patients and families but also for the staff. We are so grateful to have Karla as part of the team and family at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. I have pictures of what she did for this family. It’s beyond amazing.

PETALS Honoree: Roger Garcia, Physical Therapist

July 2023

My daughter underwent fusion spinal surgery. As it is expected she was refusing to walk the next day. Roger was so sweet, so patient with her. After 5 minutes he was able to change her mind. I don’t know how she agreed to ambulate with him, they even got out the room and my daughter came back knowing everything she was allowed and not allowed to do for the next 4 weeks. My daughter was not receiving PT treatment at the time of her discharge, but he passed by just to check on her and remind her all the activities she was allowed to do during her recovery process. Roger is a perfect example that treatment timelines in physical therapies depend not only on the patient's specific condition but also on their level of motivation, physical capacity and resilient PTs who understand that treatment in physical therapy is not a straight line; that patients will likely experience ups and downs but no matter how challenging a case can be a great PT will always be able to adapt and even respond positively to change and adversity.

PETALS Honoree: Sally Billardon, Nuclear Medicine Technician

June 2023

From the moment Sally came into the room she was kind and professional. She explained everything to me and more importantly my daughter, which put her at ease. She made sure she was comfortable throughout the entire process. Sally showed exemplary care and we are thankful for her considera​​tion in treating my daughter.

PETALS Honoree: Jamie Reyes, RT

May 2023

Jamie, where to start – he is the best! He treats your child like his own. He takes the time to educate you on medications and therapy practices. He follows up on how your child is doing since the last CPT session and coordinates with other staff to get things done. He finds supplies for upcoming extubation (even when he will not be on shift for it). He follows through, takes pride in doing good work, and it shows! During one of my harder weeks at the ICU, I actually cried when I heard he would be off for 4 to 5 days. He has such a comforting, knowledgeable vibe, that we knew we would miss while he was off – it was priceless to us. He goes the extra mile to make sure things are done right.

PETALS Honoree: Lourdes Gonzalez, Lactation Specialist (NICU)

April 2023

Ms. Gonzalez helped me in the lactation process in order for me to be able to store milk for my baby. She was very professional and explained everything in detail and with passion. I’m very thankful for all her help and guidance.

PETALS Honoree: Dr. Alfredo Machado

March 2023

He was attentive and dedicated time to my little of girl’s concerns. It was so refreshing to be treated with professional compassion. He made sure to run the necessary tests and cover all medical areas. This gentleman is the epitome of what a True Doctor should be. We were blessed to have been graced with his presence and attention.

PETALS Honoree: Dr. Deepa Ravi

February 2023

She was great at slowly getting my daughter used to being at the doctors and needing an exam. She applied very toddler friendly techniques and was very patient. This was a great experience for all of us to treat my daughter injury. Thank you!

PETALS Honoree: Blanca Gonzalez

January 2023

Blanca's friendly voice is always the best to hear when you call pharmacy. She always goes out of her way to get you the answers you may need in order to provide excellent patient care. Blanca embodies the NCHS value of collaboration, working closely with both nurses and physicians. With her years of experience, the nurses feel comfortable with her as the pharmacist because she consistently provides a thorough check on medication orders. She is efficient and you know that she will do her best to get you your medication in a timely manner, no matter how busy the day. She is also always uniting the pharmacy team with her sense of spirit.

Thank you, Blanca, for all your years of service to this organization and always making it a fun place to work!

PETALS Honoree: Jose Rapien

November 2022

Jose has been instrumental in the development of the family experience volunteer program in the Emergency Department. His collaboration has helped to establish this new program and provide a welcoming and engaging experience to the volunteers. As a member of the volunteer resource team, I could not have asked for a better team to implement this program with, and it's success is showing. Jose's ability to make the volunteers feel welcomed, and part of the Emergency Department team has made all the difference in recruiting other members. Jose has helped us to identify the areas where the service scores could be moved to create a more positive family experience. Thank you, Jose. 

PETALS Honoree: Reyna Amador, CA (3 North)

October 2022

"I want to recognize Reyna for her work because she treated me and my family the BEST way you could possible treat a patient and their family. I will be eternally grateful to her" - Antonia Cortes

PETALS Honoree: Janet Denis

September 2022

There is a reason we call Janet the Chick-Fil-A of secretaries! She always has a smile on her face and welcomes each and every patient with a warm regard. We have one patient who says “I hate mondays” but then as soon as he sees Janet his demeanor changes. He runs into her arms. She makes Mondays better for everyone. She is constantly doing all she can for the Infusion team and no matter what day we are presented with, she keeps the energy light to get us through the day. The weeks she isn’t there, it is definitely noticed.

This unit is what it is because of her and we could not do this job without her. I am grateful for everything she does day in and day out. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is blessed to have her as part of their family. She is the definition of all the things we stand for as a hospital. You are out of this world!!!!!!!

PETALS Honoree: Maria Lezcano, RRT

August 2022

"Maria is a natural teacher, and I’m sure she doesn’t realize how much I have learned from her. She is second only to my preceptor in helping me learn how to be a NICU nurse, and I don’t only mean vent settings and how to suction a patient. Her attention to detail and holistic approach combine to elevate her above one job title of respiratory therapy, she is a nurse and respiratory therapist combined (sometimes I think she could be a physician). She helps us trouble shoot why a patient is bradying, desatting, often when the root cause is not even directly related to her responsibilities. Listening to her reasoning to figuring out why a patient is decompensating has taught me so much, and her solutions to problems never cease to amaze me. She is always in a good mood, ready and willing to help make sure the night goes smoothly. I always feel safe when Mariais around, whether it be for re-taping an ET tube or doing trach ties, I am 100% confident that it will be done right and in the safest way possible. And, in doing so, she always helps to make sure the patient’s skin is in good condition, going the extra mile to make sure we don’t have any breakdown. She is always ready to assist with suctioning, making sure the timing is right for labs. She gets to know each patient so well that she can tell you the when, where, how, and if you should be doing certain interventions to help with patient care.

Maria’s good reputation means that everyone goes to her for help, even when it is not her patient. Maria never says “that’s not my patient”, she always goes and helps because she wants what is best for everyone. I can think of hundreds of examples, but just last week I had a patient with a parent who was very concerned about her baby, Maria helped to translate for me and put the mother at ease. Another night she heard my baby crying when I was on break. She helped to comfort him and he was sleeping again by the time I got back. To be honest there are no words to describe how wonderful she is, but I hope this nomination portrays how much we love her.

Maria is an amazing team player, and I can’t imagine this unit without her.

Thank you so much for everything Maria!"