The walls of UF Health Shands Hospital are filled with stories. Some celebrate the end of treatment, care milestones, birthdays, work anniversaries and more. However, no one can say they got married, had a baby and celebrated their birthday – all within a month – while receiving treatment within the walls of UF Health Shands Hospital, except Hilca Menieur Nunez.
Hilca was 31 weeks pregnant when her water broke, just three days before her wedding day. She arrived at the maternity ward at UF Health Shands Hospital not knowing what the next few weeks would hold. Hilca learned she would have to stay in the hospital for the remainder of her pregnancy and her wedding would have to be postponed, but her care team had other ideas.
Hilca’s nurses, doctors, family and care team were determined to make her wedding day a reality. Although they didn’t have a beach as originally planned, they did have a chapel and a supportive team of caregivers. In just three days, the teamwork began to make the dream come true.
“When people ask me, ‘Why would you get married in a hospital?’ I say it’s because it was important to them.”
— Hilca Menieur Nunez
Shianne Todd, nurse, cared for Hilca and helped organize the wedding. Erika Wert, MD, also helped organize the big day and officiated the ceremony. They brought Chloe, a volunteer service dog, as a flower pup (her parents are Margaret and Tom). Brittany Heck, MD, served as videographer and Lindsey Fragale, MD, was the photographer. Lauren Silva, MD, was the Spanish interpreter for the groom and family. Charge Nurse Janice Mackenzie, nurse, and Charge Nurse Rachelle Kolacia, nurse, were available for support and coordination. Adolfo Gomez served as chaplain. LaKesha Lynum helped decorate and clean up the reception and Machaela Hall, charge assistant of Mother and Child Unit 95, served as notary and witness.
The walls were filled with love as family brought decorations, Hilca traded her hospital gown for a wedding dress, and everyone worked together to make this wedding a reality. On June 21, Hilca and her partner, Walter Pena, exchanged vows surrounded by loved ones, a team that gave their all, and a four-legged volunteer at Interfaith Chapel – UF Health Shands Hospital.
“When people ask me, ‘Why would you get married in a hospital?’ I say, ‘It’s because it was important to them,'” Hilca says.
After the ceremony, the celebration continued in a conference room right next to Hilca’s room. They danced their first dance, toasted to eternity and celebrated their new beginning. Despite the change of plans, the love and joy could not be stopped.
Over the next 20 days, their little love continued to grow and on July 11th, they welcomed him into the world. When baby Julian was born, everyone in the room sang “Happy Birthday” because not only was he safe in the world, but it was also Hilca’s birthday.
Hilca said the care she received from every team was “perfect.” From her arrival to Julian’s discharge from the NICU, “every step along the way was perfect. The care was incredible,” she said.
As Hilca reflects on her time at UF Health Shands Hospital and all that happened in just a few weeks, she is especially grateful for Shianne Todd, a nurse who truly made a difference. Todd’s care went above and beyond her job duties and left a profound impression on Hilca and her family. Not only did she provide exceptional care, but she also assembled a team to help plan the wedding – a kind gesture that leaves Hilca with overwhelming gratitude to everyone involved.
The memories this care team created in just a few weeks will forever be written on the walls of UF Health Shands Hospital and in Hilca’s heart.
