NICU Team
August 2022
NICU Team
at Greater Baltimore Medical Center
Greater Baltimore Medical Center
Towson
,
MD
United States
Kim White RN
Inga Vesnovsky BSN, RN
Rebecca Malkie BSN, RN
Olena Goddard MD
Inga Vesnovsky BSN, RN
Rebecca Malkie BSN, RN
Olena Goddard MD
We are excited and proud to be awarding our first DAISY Team Award to our very special NICU family! While our GBMC Vision Phrase drives everything we do for our patients, it also drives our actions and support for each other. When the news of the war in Ukraine started flooding our awareness, the NICU family was personally impacted. Two members of our NICU staff; Olena Goddard, neonatologist and Inga Vesnovsky, NICU nurse were born and raised in Ukraine. They joined their NICU family as they listened in horror to the international news from the Children’s Hospital in Kiev: During a recent strike, the hospital’s neonatal unit was hit by shrapnel. Mothers and babies were forced to take shelter in the basement every time the air raid sirens rang out. The hospital staff put on a brave face as they treated children and adults with injuries from missiles, bullets, and rockets. Most of the hospital staff had no real experience of war. Says one pediatrician, “we live in the hospital and don’t go home, we are available 24/7 to help our children, it’s terrible…” In addition to these news stories, Olena and Inga were deeply impacted by the personal stories they were hearing from family and friends still in Ukraine.
Their NICU family sprang into action, raising money for the Children’s Hospital in Kiev in which both Olena and Inga had personal connections. Over a few weeks, they raised $1,000, which in Ukrainian currency is equal to $30,000. On April 29, Inga sent the following email to all the NICU staff: I am writing to let you know that the money you collected was successfully transferred and received by Children’s Hospital in Kiev, Ukraine. We received a confirmation note saying how thankful they are for your generous donation and sent a promise to put the money to good use. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Not only did this team respond to their global neonatal community suffering unspeakable conditions, but they also responded locally to their hurting colleagues. We are so proud of your compassion, and your willingness to act on it.
Their NICU family sprang into action, raising money for the Children’s Hospital in Kiev in which both Olena and Inga had personal connections. Over a few weeks, they raised $1,000, which in Ukrainian currency is equal to $30,000. On April 29, Inga sent the following email to all the NICU staff: I am writing to let you know that the money you collected was successfully transferred and received by Children’s Hospital in Kiev, Ukraine. We received a confirmation note saying how thankful they are for your generous donation and sent a promise to put the money to good use. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Not only did this team respond to their global neonatal community suffering unspeakable conditions, but they also responded locally to their hurting colleagues. We are so proud of your compassion, and your willingness to act on it.