Lulu and Jawaher, a mother and daughter both dedicated to nursing, have always shared a commitment to compassionate pediatric care. Lulu’s daughter and Jawaher’s sister, Farrah, brings her creative talents to healthcare marketing and design. Now, united under Rady Children’s Health, this dynamic family trio is stronger than ever in their shared dedication to shaping the care and services that improve the lives of children and families.
Lulu’s journey: From the Philippines to healthcare
Lulu left the Philippines for America with a dream to build a better life for her family, pouring her heart into nursing so she could care for others while supporting those she loved.
Since 1997, Lulu has been a clinical nurse at Polinsky’s Children Center at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, where she cares for abused and neglected children.
After retiring from the Sheriff’s Department as a correctional nurse, she couldn’t walk away from caring for others and now works per diem at Polinsky’s, driven by her passion for helping patients.
Lulu said, “Working at Polinsky, I see how strong kids can be, even when they go through very hard times, and that inspires me.”
Jawaher’s path: Following in her mother’s footsteps
Jawaher grew up hearing stories about Lulu’s joy for caring for children. She too, wanted to dedicate her life to serving others, following in the footsteps of the woman whose heart and strength had always guided her.
Jawaher is a pediatric emergency department nurse at CHOC Hospital, where she’s been making a difference for nearly two years. Reflecting on her mom’s example, she shared, “Seeing my mom work so hard my entire life inspired me to have the same work ethic. I go into every shift putting my best foot forward because of her.”
The fast-paced nature of the Julia and George Argyros Emergency Department at CHOC keeps Jawaher on her toes, with a high volume of patients coming through every day. She thrives on intensity, always learning something new.
Since becoming a nurse, Jawaher has leaned heavily on her mom for support. Whenever they have a rough day, they call each other. “It’s an amazing feeling knowing I have someone who understands what I go through at work,” Jawaher said.
Their calls keep her encouraged, with her mom always pushing her to continue learning and advancing her nursing career.
Farrah, using her creative talents
Farrah, Jawaher’s sister, brings her creative talents as a graphic designer to Rady Children’s Hospital. She joined the marketing department nearly three years ago, inspired by her family’s deep ties to health care, with eight nurses in the family.
“I love telling people that I’m a graphic designer for Rady Children’s because it’s such a unique role to have in a healthcare system. Knowing health care workers personally made it easy for me to decide to work alongside them,” she said.
Growing up, Farrah looked up to her sister, Jawaher, who always encouraged her to follow her passion. “Jawaher set an example for me to be driven and was an advocate for me to pave my own path,” Farrah said. Coming from a large family of healthcare workers, Farrah’s decision to pursue graphic design initially confused many, but her sister was always there to support her career choice.
As a graphic designer, Farrah has come to see the significant role that design plays in healthcare. “It’s often an overlooked aspect, but I see the impact that I have in this role. Working with the Foundation team, it’s rewarding to know that my designs help raise funds for patient programs, research, and new buildings for the hospital,” she said.
Looking ahead: A future together at Rady Children’s Health
Jawaher is looking forward to her future with Rady Children’s Health, a new premier pediatric healthcare system that unites the expertise of CHOC and Rady Children’s Hospital. She takes pride in being part of the same healthcare system as her mom and sister.
A legacy of care
Together, Lulu, Jawaher, and Farrah bring their unique talents to life at Rady Children’s Health — Lulu and Jawaher with their compassionate nursing and Farrah with her creative expertise in design. As they continue their work, they’ll not only impact the lives of children and families but also carry forward the meaningful legacy they’ve built, rooted in warmth, compassion, and a shared commitment to making a difference.
