Family Reunited with NICU Nurse After 17 Years and with the Birth of their Third Baby

EL PASO, TX – Christopher and Maggie Castillo are all too familiar with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus, having had several stays with their babies.

On August 20, 2021, Christopher and Maggie welcomed their third baby, Elianah Maggie Castillo, a micro-preemie born at 25 weeks and weighing in at only 1lb 9oz and having to stay in the Level IV NICU to help her grow. While in the NICU, the Castillo family received a pleasant surprise that quickly made them feel at ease – Elianah’s NICU nurse, Silvia Anderson, was the same nurse who cared for their first two children, Sinaiah now 18 and Michael now 17, back in 2002 and 2003.

“It was such a wonderful surprise to be greeted by the warmth and comfort of Silvia after all these years and knowing that my baby girl is in the best of care,” said Maggie Castillo, new mom to Elianah. “Silvia helped my husband and I get through our first two stays in this NICU and now 17 years later I know she will help do the same for Elianah. It was amazing to reunite with her and to be able to have her meet Sinaiah and Michael and show her what strong and amazing kids they have become. I also had to bring the scrapbook so she could see the pictures of her holding Sinaiah.”

Recently the Castillo family was able to visit the NICU to introduce Elianah to her older sister and brother and to make a reunion with their favorite NICU nurse Silvia. Photos were captured and many stories were told. While still several weeks to go, the Castillo family looks forward to bringing baby Elianah home just in time for the holidays.

“Seeing Sinaiah and Michael as now vibrant teens is the most wonderful feeling and gift,” said Silvia Anderson, an experienced NICU nurse at The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus. “I remember each one of my NICU babies and the journey we have taken together so that they can get ready to go home with their family – the Castillo family holds a special place in my heart and I feel honored to have cared for each one of their precious babies.”