PHOENIX (AZFamily) — While many families gather around dinner tables to celebrate the holidays, some are spending this special time in a hospital room. At Phoenix Children’s Hospital, baby Josiah is among those in the Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where he is receiving care until he’s strong enough to go home.
For Savannah Westfall, a nurse and clinical supervisor at the NICU, this situation hits close to home. She understands the emotional toll on families, having experienced similar challenges herself.
“Being in the NICU really changes the way you look at the holidays,” said Westfall. “We care for these babies like they’re our own, so when parents are struggling, we’re struggling with them.”
Westfall knows firsthand what families are going through. She remembers the fear and uncertainty her own family felt when she was born prematurely at 28 weeks. Her mother, she says, wasn’t able to hold her for long after birth.
“My mom always says the hardest part was that she didn’t get to see me right away. I was rushed off to the NICU, and that left her scared and uncertain,” Westfall recalled.
After spending several weeks at Phoenix Children’s Good Samaritan Hospital, she was transferred to another facility and released after three months. That difficult beginning, she says, inspired her to become a NICU nurse.
“For me, it’s a full-circle moment,” Westfall said. “I feel so lucky to be in a position where I can help other families going through the same thing.”
As a clinical supervisor, Westfall finds fulfillment in giving hope to families who are scared and uncertain. She reassures them that although the road ahead may be tough, they are not alone.
“It’s important for families to know that it takes a village,” she explained. “We’re here to be a part of that village and to help them through this journey.”
Her empathy for families shines through in her work. Having been a NICU baby herself, Westfall connects with parents on a deeper level, guiding them with understanding and compassion.
“The smile I get from parents, especially after they see how well their baby is doing, is priceless,” Westfall said. “It’s a reminder of why I’m here.”
For Westfall, working in the NICU is more than just a job—it’s a calling. “I’ll never leave the NICU,” she said. “This is where I’m meant to be, and this is where I’ll stay.”
November is National Prematurity Awareness Month, which highlights the challenges faced by premature babies and their families. According to the CDC, 1 in 10 babies in the U.S. is born prematurely each year.
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