CVICU secretary spearheads Meals that Heal to help families who spend long days and nights in the hospital.
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
The cardiovascular intensive care unit at Riley Hospital for Children can be a scary place, but leave it to Alma Estrada to bring a little sunshine.
A secretary on the unit, Estrada brings love and compassion to work with her every day. Like the nurses, doctors and other team members on the CVICU, she leads with her heart.
That’s why the transplanted Texan wanted to do something for the families who spend days, weeks and months on the unit and in other areas of the hospital as their children and loved ones receive care.
And what better way to do that than to feed them, she thought.
“One of our moms mentioned to me that being close to their family member was very important to them, but they did struggle with food,” said Estrada, who worked with her colleagues and got permission from her manager to fundraise and plan Meals that Heal monthly through Ronald McDonald House and a local restaurant.
“I just like to help anyone and everyone if it’s within my hands to help,” she said. “I work with the families here and see the way life changes for them when a baby is born with a heart issue. They don’t go back home, back to their own bed or their refrigerator, so they’re not eating what they are used to eating.”
The first meal was street tacos, rice and beans in April, and another meal is planned in June. Donation boxes can be found around the CVICU.
Estrada, who has no kids of her own, helped raise her niece, and the two like to volunteer in the community outside of work.
“I love my job because I get to learn something every day,” she said. “My unit took me in with lots of patience, and they gave me a great opportunity. For that I will forever be grateful. Riley is a paradise of opportunities.”
Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org
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