Careers

The distraught couple, the Ospinos, told Barbaro that they had no place to stay since city hotels were beyond their financial means. Without hesitation, Barbaro welcomed them to the small two-bedroom apartment he and his wife, Felicia, shared with their three children. Before long, the two families were close friends.

Nearly everyday for several months, Felicia would visit the Ospinos at Children's, bringing along food, clothes and other necessities to help make their stay as comfortable as possible. Felicia spent long hours at the hospital caring for the young girl so her parents could rest from their round-the-clock visits.

"Everyday that I came to Children's I felt amazed by the work that was being done here to care for children," she said in Spanish. "I wanted to work here and be a part of this wonderful place. I felt like it was my destiny."

"This was a very proud day for me," she says, referring to her nomination. "My managers and coworkers treat me with respect. I am making a difference, because cleanliness is so important in the hospital."

Throughout the hospital, Felicia can be found visiting newly arrived Latin American patients who often struggle with or do not speak English. "Some are poor, so I bring them gifts such as clothes, food and toys for their children," she says.

Felicia's hard work and generosity has paid off. Her son Manuel, 19, is studying at Roxbury Community College, while Karol, 17, and Eli, 15, are in high school.

"I came here from the Dominican Republic to get a better life for my children. It's an honor to be here," she says. "I always tell my children to study hard so they can have a better life for themselves and for their own children."