Our two-year-old daughter was placed on emergency ECMO after being admitted into the pediatric ICU. Over the days and weeks that transpired, it became obvious that Nurse Wendy Bowen was one of the most trusted RN and ECMO technicians on the floor. Her vigilance and skill preserved our daughter's life through multiple ECMO line changes and “code blue” incidents. She was the nurse the doctors turned to when they needed it done right, with no room for error. Even after our daughter was transitioned off ECMO, Wendy continued to take a serious and personal interest in her wellbeing. She asked to be assigned to our room, and she actively collaborated with the physicians to create the best treatment plans for our daughter. She double-and-triple-checked every medicine and dosage. Though our daughter was heavily sedated, she would talk to her tenderly as she provided care. She was also our emotional support, even giving us words of encouragement and hugs.  

As days turned into weeks, Wendy became our fast friend, rearranging her schedule so that she could provide continuity of care for our daughter. Though the odds of survival were long, Wendy did not slacken in her efforts. She worked tirelessly to provide our daughter with the best possible care and treatment. When it became clear that our daughter's body could not sustain life, Wendy watched with us to the end, helping us understand the physiological process we were witnessing.