Pediatric patient, college grad reunites with Fountain Valley Regional Hospital caregivers

Dressed in a CSU Fullerton cap and gown, Judit Ramirez arrived Thursday at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center to celebrate a recent life accomplishment with the care team that helped make it all possible.

The 22-year-old Santa Ana resident had graduated two days earlier, earning a bachelor’s degree in public health. She plans to attend nursing school in the fall, a fact she says is inspired by the nurses who cared for her as a pediatric patient for the past four years.

“All the nurses hold a special place in my heart,” Ramirez recalled. “They were always making me feel better, even in my worst days — I want to do that.”

Judit Ramirez, center, shares a group hug with hepatobiliary surgeon, Dr. Thang Nguyen, right, and child life specialist Adrienne Feilden, during a return visit Thursday to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

Thursday’s whirlwind reunion tour was a happy occasion, as Ramirez greeted staff and showed off her commencement attire. The celebratory moment was a stark contrast to her first trip to Fountain Valley Regional on New Year’s Day in 2018.

She’d been experiencing serious stomach pain for about two weeks, when doctors discovered a 14-centimeter tumor perilously close to her pancreas. She would need emergency surgery. The teen was booked for a three-hour procedure that ended up lasting six hours.

“The mass was huge — we were lucky to catch it early,” said Dr. Thang Nguyen, a hepatobiliary surgeon who took the mass and had to remove a portion of her pancreas. “It was quite an ordeal for this young lady.”

That day’s procedure would be the first of many Ramirez would undergo to normalize her organ function and control infections and other complications that would spring up in the months and years that followed. However, throughout the long process of treatment and recovery, the teen wasn’t alone.

Judit Ramirez, center, poses for a photo with the pediatric ICU nursing team at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center Thursday during a reunion to the Fountain Valley facility.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

Adrienne Feilden, a child life specialist for Fountain Valley Regional, worked closely with Ramirez, helping prepare her for medical procedures and manage the pain and stress that arose from dealing with serious health issues while completing high school and applying for college.

She celebrated alongside her young ward when Ramirez learned she’d been accepted into Cal State Fullerton and later watched her struggle to complete college coursework and final exams, even as she underwent further medical procedures.

“I have had the pleasure of seeing her growth and strength and perseverance,” Feilden said Tuesday. “She has always been optimistic. She’s been able to advocate for herself and grow that voice over the four years. That’s why I’m so proud of her.”

When it came to thinking about a career path, Ramirez had always known she’d wanted to do something that would allow her to make a difference for others. But her personal journey helped focus her aspirations on the field of nursing.

“Even though I was a patient, I would say it was like my home,” she said. “There were nights when I couldn’t sleep, and I’d go out and sit at the nurses’ desk and just be there with them.”

Given the close relationships she’d formed, Ramirez naturally wanted to share the news she’d graduated from college. Feilden said while it’s not uncommon for pediatric patients to return in a reunion, it’s always welcomed.

Nguyen said he was thrilled by Ramirez’s visit and the opportunity to learn about her plans for the future.

“I was so happy to see that she’d graduated from college. We were questioning whether or not she’d complete high school, given what she’s gone through,” he said. “This young lady is really inspiring — she’s a fighter.”

Now, with treatments finally at bay, Ramirez is setting up interviews with nursing school and hopes to attend classes in August. But, as usual, she’s already thinking about her next move.

“Hopefully in 2024 I can have my RN license and then apply to Fountain Valley Regional,” she said. “It’s going to be my top choice.”

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