1. April 12, 2010
Dear Admissions Committee:
I am writing this letter on behalf of Elizabeth Muia. I met Ms. Muia July 2000, when she joined
the Pediatric Cardiology team of the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, NY. As the
Clinical Nurse Specialist and Clinical Coordinator of that team, I worked very closely with Ms.
Muia every day. We worked together for several years and we have kept in close contact as
she has moved forward in her professional career.
While at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, July 2000 to June 2002, Ms. Muia served as a
Certified Child Life Specialist. She made significant contributions to the Children’s Heart
Program, to the staff of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU), to the patients and
their families. Some of her original initiatives continue to be the basis for preoperative teaching
and preparation for children undergoing elective congenital heart surgery. For example, she
organized a preoperative teaching program designed to prepare children for upcoming surgical
procedures and hospitalizations. She approached every child in a developmentally-appropriate
manner and tailored the sessions with a goal of family-centered care. Psychological preparation
was offered for both patients and their siblings.
Ms. Muia was able to heighten awareness of the psychosocial needs of the patients to doctors
and nurses by preparing staff for the upcoming admissions during weekly multi-disciplinary
meetings. In addition, she joined rounds with the staff every day and addressed concerns for
the current patients. She helped transition patients as they progressed from the PCICU to the
general pediatric inpatient units. In summary, she was a constant presence for staff and
children and someone everyone could rely on for continuity and oversight.
The PCICU is a high tech environment that can be cold and frightening to anyone. Ms. Muia
addressed this issue by organizing both a mural painting and tile project to help warm the
environment. The wall art remains in the PCICU and is an ongoing source of discussion and
distraction for the children and their families.
Ms. Muia’s warm and easy style brought ease to children and their families as they prepared for
and experienced hospitalization. She was respected and well-liked by the staff; her
contributions continue to benefit so many.
Personally, it is an honor and privilege to support Ms. Muia as she pursues a Bachelor’s of
Science in Nursing. She did so much for so many while at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. It
was a pleasure working with her because she is enthusiastic, intelligent, and successful in
everything she undertakes. I know that she will be an asset to any program she joins.
Sincerely,
Ronda Pomerantz Gross, RN, MSN