Rachel was born via emergency C-section in February 1993 due to lower heart rates detected during labor. At birth, she weighed only 5 pounds and 4 ounces. Initially, the doctors thought they might have heard a heart murmur but decided against further testing at that time. As Rachel grew, she often remained underweight and took longer to recover from illnesses than her siblings.

In the winter of 2003, when Rachel was 10 years old, she visited her pediatrician for an upper respiratory infection. During this visit, her doctor detected a heart murmur and recommended that she see a cardiologist. Following this advice, Rachel was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD) and Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (PAPVR). Both conditions were successfully repaired at Miami Children’s Hospital, now known as Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Inspired by the compassionate care she received from nurses over the years, Rachel worked diligently to become a registered nurse. During her nursing studies in 2014, Rachel was diagnosed with SA node dysfunction, which led to her receiving a single-lead atrial pacemaker. Her medical journey continued with challenges including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, blood clots, gastrointestinal bleeds, endocrine dysfunction, and more.

In 2024, Rachel underwent an ablation for atrial flutter and had her pacemaker replaced. Later that same year, she also had C4-5 disc replacement surgery. Despite these challenges, Rachel has worked as a nurse in New York City for 10 years. She bravely served through the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing her dedication and resilience. Rachel is a kind-hearted warrior who strives to provide the same level of compassionate care to others that she received throughout her medical journey.