The CCU at LIJMC is a 10-bed unit with a dedicated staff of nursing professionals whose primary focus is providing the highest quality physical, emotional and spiritual care to the patients they serve, every single day.

Maritza Dominguez, RN has been a staff nurse in LIJ Hospital for 10 years and in the CCU for 2 years. Maritza had recently returned to work after the death of her mother, one month earlier. Maritza's mother had been a music lover and much to the dismay of her five children, Maritza had found herself completely unable to listen to music since her loss - it was too painful a reminder. Maritza found her self unable to dream about her mother and the day this story occurred, had a particularly difficult time, looking at herself in the mirror and thinking that she did not even have the comfort of resembling her mother.

One of her most poignant and memorable experiences as a CCU nurse occurred shortly after her return to work, while caring for an older gentleman who was being treated for arrhythmias.

This patient's daughter asked Maritza if she could play her harp at her father's bedside as they both loved music and the daughter was searching for some means of contributing to her father's comfort and healing. Of course, Maritza agreed.

However, before the impromptu bedside concert began, Maritza went into the bathroom and faced herself in the mirror; she took several deep breaths and resolved to get through the concert by focusing on the potential benefit for her patient.

The daughter came to her father's bedside and played her harp. Maritza found herself crying quietly at the bedside. The patient and family assumed she was moved, solely by the music. The music was lovely, soothing and inspirational. Eventually, the concert came to an end. The patient continued to improve and was eventually discharged.

Afterward, Maritza talked with the patent about the music. The patient felt comforted by the music and told Maritza, "Music heals the soul". The patient proudly informed Maritza that his daughter Rachel, was self-taught. Maritza asked the patient, what did you say your daughter's name was? The patient reiterated that his daughter's name was Rachel.

The name of Maritza's mother had been Rachel.

From this point on, Maritza found that she was once again able to listen to music. By caring enough about meeting the needs of her patient to overlook her own pain, Maritza and this patient helped to heal each other.

– Maritza Dominguez, RN
Long Island Jewish Medical Center