Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 5)

During this time, Gray shared with her co-workers what was happening with their former patients. GMC’s NICU decided to help. The nurses bought diapers and food for the young Villanueva family. One nurse bought Anthony a pair of frames because he was in need of glasses, while another nurse brought an envelope containing a $100 bill on several occasions for Gray to pass along. The NICU nurses even threw Anthony a first birthday party. When Christmas came, the unit chose Yami and Anthony to help through the charity Adopt-a-Family. “The presents and food Yami received were the first gifts in her entire life,” Gray says. ONLINe To learn more about GMC’s NICU, please visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/nicu. Read More About Our Amazing NICU OverCOMING ObsTACLes They soon found out that Anthony struggled with a condition called failure to thrive. He refused to eat because he had grown accustomed to so little food in the past year. Over time, however, Gray’s biological children helped him with his condition. The Grays also taught their new family members the little things that most people take for granted, such as how to order from menus at restaurants. “I saw who my children really are,” Gray says. With perseverance, encouragement and love, the Grays were able to overcome each obstacle. “Love is what had made this work, amazingly,” Gray says. Gray’s kindness has paved a new future for the Villanuevas. Anthony is now 4 years old and Yami, 20, is a sophomore at Georgia Gwinnett College studying to become an elementary school teacher. Their family’s strength and success continue to be an inspiration to their friends and the GMC community. TAkING A bIG sTeP During Anthony’s first year, Gray offered to drive him and his mother to doctor appointments. With Gray’s experience, she simplified the confusing medical terminology, making it easier for the young mother. She offered the family a place to stay during the weekends. But Gray and her husband, Doug, felt as if they could do even more, namely bringing Yami and Anthony into their family through a legal adoption. “I was called to help provide what these children desperately needed, and knew that by adopting, I could ensure a better life for Yami and Anthony,” Gray says. Gray’s co-workers reacted to her decision with immense support, along with some reservations. They wanted to make sure that this was the right decision, but Gray did not doubt her plans. “Given the stable foundation I had at GMC, I had confidence in my friends and family to allow me to go clearly forward with this decision,” Gray says. beCOMING A FAMILy The transition of adoption posed some challenges. Gray’s four children were in college or about to head off to college soon, and now she would be raising a young child again. DeeAnn Anderson, a co-worker of Gray’s for the past 20 years, says, “Our staff provided emotional support for Michelle, and gave diapers and clothes that our children had outgrown that Anthony could use.” Gray was working the night shift, making it harder to see her growing family. After 19 years on that shift, Gray applied for a position as a day shift supervisor. At home, Gray’s youngest biological daughter was 15, the same age as Yami; however, they lived different lives. While Gray’s youngest went off to play soccer, Yami stayed home to be a mother. But this difference would not stop them from becoming family. A Glimpse Inside the Unit The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at GMC–Lawrenceville’s Gwinnett Women’s Pavilion is a Level III unit that provides highly specialized intensive care for nearly 1,000 critically ill and premature newborns each year. This care is provided by board-certified neonatologists, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers and physical therapists. The collaboration of these experts makes for excellent monitoring, diagnosis of problems and support of vital functions beyond that available in a general pediatric unit. It also allows sick newborns in northeastern metro Atlanta to receive state-of-the-art care close to where their parents live. Vim & Vigor • WI NTer 2012 5 http://www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/nicu

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil’s Feature
All in the Family
Good Sport
Because I Said So!
What’s Wrong with This Picture?
The Future Is Now
Everyday Hero
What Does 200 Calories Look Like?
JOHNNY BE GOOD
In the Driver’s Seat
We’ve Got Your Back
Bank on Your Health
Virtual Health
PrimeTime Health
Back on His Feet
Meet the Raineys
Out of the White
Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center