Nurse who went above and beyond gets special send-off: "You're an angel"

After an extraordinary 58-year career as a nurse, Wynola Wayne was honored with a deeply moving send-off, celebrating a life dedicated to healing and compassion. Her final walk out of Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, was not just a retirement but a recognition of her profound impact on countless lives.

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You're going to survive.

One of those lives profoundly touched was Marco Houpe's. At just 15 months old, Houpe suffered third-degree burns over 85% of his body following a Christmas tree fire. He recalls dying twice on the way to the hospital and that a toy had melted in his hand. It was in the hospital's burn unit where he met Wayne, a brand-new nurse still in training.

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My parents used to tell me about this nurse. In the morning, she was there. In the evening, she was there. At night, she was there.

"And there was such a feeling of connection with him," Wayne recalled. "And even though those burns were extensive, I said, 'You're going to survive.' Because I could see it in his eyes." Houpe's parents often told him about Wayne's unwavering presence, noting she was there morning, evening, and night. "My parents used to tell me about this nurse. In the morning, she was there. In the evening, she was there. At night, she was there," Houpe said.

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Yep, absolutely

Houpe firmly believes Wayne saved his life. "If it wasn't for her then, I wouldn't be here today," he stated. Now married with two children and working as a school administrator and coach, Houpe calls Wayne his "guardian angel." Wayne, inspired by Houpe's resilience, even named her own son after him. At her retirement celebration, Houpe escorted Wayne out, reinforcing her legacy with the heartfelt declaration, "You're an angel."

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If it wasn't for her then, I wouldn't be here today.