NICU Transport Team – going the extra mile to support our community

“If it was my baby, I would want somebody to walk to get to me.” – Lacey Kennedy, Phoebe NICU Respiratory Therapist

When a mother-to-be was about to give birth at 27 weeks in Early County only hours after Hurricane Michael hit, the Phoebe NICU team was determined to help. The baby needed the expert care of our highly-trained neonatal specialists, but not even a medevac helicopter could get to the area. Our NICU transport team set out in an ambulance with a chainsaw to clear the way, as our NICU Medical Director stayed in touch with the staff at Pioneer Community Hospital of Early by phone. When downed trees blocked the ambulance’s path, part of our team set out on foot. They arrived at Pioneer several hours after the baby was born and began to provide the necessary specialized care before eventually transporting the baby to a NICU in Columbus. Because of the determination of our NICU team and outstanding coordination and cooperation with Pioneer and Piedmont Columbus Regional, mother and baby are doing well. Thank you, NICU team and all other care teams and volunteers who are going the extra mile to support our community. #HurricaneHeroes #IamPhoebe

Our outstanding team includes:
• Kathy Brinson, Maternal Outreach Coordinator
• Margaret Funk, NICU Transport Nurse
• Cory Hall, Grady EMS Mechanic
• Jerry Hatcher, Grady EMS NICU Paramedic
• Jennifer Hill, NICU Manager
• Lacey Kennedy, NICU Respiratory Tech
• Dr. Jack Owens, Neonatology Medical Director
• Mindy Spencer, Neonatal Outreach Coordinator
• Tiffany Vinson, NICU Transport Coordinator