A Touching Tribute: She Named Her Daughter After the Nurse Who Cared for Her Late Son

This is an extraordinary story of two women from very different backgrounds who were brought together by fate three times. About two years ago, Almog Friedson, a registered nurse in the NICU at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, first met Sveta Gavran, a new mother who had given birth to her firstborn son weighing just 1.5 kg. Over the three weeks he was in the NICU, Almog cared for him with tremendous dedication and professionalism until he was discharged home. Two months later, the baby passed away from a severe genetic disorder.

A year later, Sveta returned to the Hillel Yaffe delivery room, this time carrying a baby girl. The birth went smoothly, and when Sveta arrived at the nursery, she saw a familiar face - Almog, the same nurse who had cared for her son. The two recognized each other immediately, and Sveta felt at ease knowing her daughter was in good hands. Before they were discharged, Sveta told Almog that she had decided to name her daughter after her. Almog was deeply moved by the gesture and said, “In my work, I care for many babies and preemies and give everything I have. There is nothing more uplifting and heartwarming than someone who appreciates your work so deeply that they choose to name the most precious thing in their life, their child, after you."

Almog and Sveta in the nursery at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center

This week their paths crossed for a third time, when Sveta came in to deliver her third child. For her, this is without question pure fate. "It's no coincidence that Almog has cared for all three of my children. To me, she's an angel. She’s completely dedicated to the babies and preemies in her care, with a smile and outstanding professionalism, just like a mother. She supported and guided me through the darkest moments I experienced during my son's NICU stay, and after the births of my daughter and my son," said Sveta.

Sveta is currently completing her nursing studies and will soon begin her professional career as a registered nurse. "Almog is my role model. I want to become a midwife, and I hope that I, too, will care for mothers and newborns with that same dedication and professionalism."