Even as a preschooler Elie wanted to be a “baby doctor.” And while her educational path to helping children didn’t follow a straight line, she fulfilled her dream in 2015 by graduating from the nursing program at New York University. She soon began her career working the night shift at NYU Langone hospital in Manhattan.
After years in the Congenital Cardiovascular Care Unit (CCVCU) within Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, she took on the challenge of helping open the new cardiac unit at the Children’s Hospital of New York (CHONY) at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. While there she also attained her Master’s degree in nursing from Stony Brook University and became licensed as a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
Looking to grow her leadership skills, Elie then moved to Sunshine Children’s Home in January of 2023. After just three and a half months, her illness was diagnosed. While away under treatment for her own disease, her young patients never stopped asking when Elie would be back. That was the kind of impact she had on her environment.
More than a caretaker
In her personal life Elie’s caring spirit was at the fore. Smart, complex, gentle, artistic, loyal, introverted, and like all of us a collection of contradictions. As such, her husband so poignantly described her “Like a shape with innumerable sides. Some rough edges, but smooth faces.”
From the time she was a child she was helpful and sensitive. When you were in the “Elie zone” you would be seen, nurtured and supported. Just as she did with her patients, with the added benefit to us of a sharp–and sometimes dark–sense of humor. Elie was intuitive and deeply empathic, so she could often sense what was needed in the moment and I’m sure this was present with her patients. She “loved up” and helped to raise two younger brothers who appreciate her deeply. She radiated an energy of intelligence, perception, and a soft luminosity that was present wherever she was went.
This foundation in her honor: “Little Lions, Big Hearts” is an amalgamation of her identity. The name itself is a play on her Spanish nickname ‘Leo’ like ‘león’: the Spanish word for lion. It also represents her legacy of caring and the profound desire to help children in need.
Through your humble contributions families in need can benefit and feel wrapped and supported in the arms of care.