Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 4)

ALL FAMILY in the NICU nurse adopts teen mother and son in need A mong the faint cries of newborns at Gwinnett Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a nurse hears the distinct cry of a young woman. Barely 15 years old, Yami Villanueva sobs for help. She had given birth to a baby boy, Anthony, 12 weeks early. Michelle Gray, a NICU nurse, walks over to console the teenage mother, whose face is full of fear. Gray has met plenty of teen mothers, but there was something different about Yami. Gray realized Yami was desperate to talk to someone, and to help her escape the loneliness that surrounded her. A SUPPORTIVE EAR Gray invited Yami to join her in the cafeteria for lunch where they could talk. Gray soon realized that being a young mother was far from the only challenge Yami faced. Upon discharge, Yami and Anthony would return to an unstable household full of impoverished children. She would bounce from home to home and wouldn’t get regular meals. In fact, Yami was eating only once a day. A rare gesture for a nurse, Gray gave Yami her number to call her whenever she needed. Weeks later, Yami called unexpectedly. She explained how she was lonely. Gray began to visit Yami and her son. Michelle Gray and husband Doug (top right) opened their home to Yami Villanueva and her son, Anthony. After 19 years working nights in the neonatal intensive care unit, Gray (above) changed to the day shift to better care for her new, larger family. 4 Vim & Vigor · W I N TER 2 012

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