Full Circle: Nurse mentors daughter of his original mentor
(SACRAMENTO)
Daniel Aquino began his journey at UC Davis Health as a student nurse intern on East 4, Accelerated Access Unit in 2004.
On his first day, the internship assigned him to work with nurse Fey Saechou. However, Saechou was on maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter, Hannah. After two months, Saechou returned and mentored Aquino for the duration of his 18-month internship.
Daniel and Fey
Once the internship ended, Aquino received job offers from UC Davis Health and another hospital.
“I was offered a job at UC Davis Health and another regional hospital,” Aquino said. “Ultimately, I decided to work for UC Davis Health primarily because of my time with Fey and the other nurses on the unit.”
Soon after, Saechou took an opportunity with Tower 4, ENT.
“Even though I was able to thrive as a new graduate nurse without ‘Mama Fey,’ two years later, Fey called to tell me there was a day shift position where she worked,” Aquino said.
He interviewed for the position and joined Saechou at Tower 4, where he worked for more than 10 years under the guidance of his mentor. Earlier this year, 21 years after Aquino joined UC Davis Health as a student nurse intern, Saechou retired.
“I loved learning from Fey and the other nurses on this unit,” Aquino said. “They created the foundation for my nursing career. Her retirement was bittersweet for me.”
Little did he know, just four months after Saechou’s retirement, her daughter Hannah would be hired into the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program. Hannah is now a member of cohort 55 Nurse Residency at UC Davis Health.
“I was one of her first lectures in new hire orientation through the Center for Professional Practice of Nursing. It was truly a full-circle moment for me,” Aquino said. “I immediately felt connected to Hannah even though we had never met. I’ve heard stories from Fey from when she was born up until now.”
On Hannah’s first day, “Mama Fey” called her via FaceTime, to wish her a good day and say hello to her old friend, colleague and mentee, Daniel.
Daniel with Hannah, who is Face Timing with Fey.
“Who knows where this connection will lead? Maybe Hannah will take over for me at the end of my career,” Aquino said.
