Compassion, caring, and community: How Hand to Hold creates a bridge between NICU staff and families
Rhonda Reed, Director of NICU and Neonatal Transport at St. David's Medical Center, has seen how Hand to Hold has positively impacted families in her unit. “Partnering with Hand to Hold is by far the best thing we have done for our NICU families,” she says. Reed values having a Hand to Hold family support specialist connecting with families in a way only someone with a NICU experience can, keeping a close eye on their psychosocial needs, and communicating daily with the health care team.
“This pandemic has added another layer of stress and anxiety for these families, on top of the already difficult NICU journey," she added. "Our family support specialist has helped us identify ways to assist these families that we may have missed."
At St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas, Amy Irons, Director of Neonatal Services, has also noticed the positive difference when parents connect with Hand to Hold. “Our parents develop a NICU family that includes the Hand to Hold Family Support Specialist, other NICU parents, NICU staff and physicians. They develop a bond that is so strong, and many of our NICU parents end up wanting to give back to Hand to Hold.”
“During this time of COVID, there is increased fear and anxiety in everyone,” said Irons. But there’s another layer of support parents need - the understanding of someone who has been through what they’re going through and understands the emotions, the trials, and the traumas that NICU parents are experiencing. “Hand to Hold is solely focused on easing the burden, offering a gentle spirit, cheering on the hard work of the baby and the parents, and building a community around our NICU families.”
Hand to Hold is grateful for the support of St. David's HealthCare as a Presenting Sponsor of our 10th Anniversary Celebration.