Thanking Our Providers

This weekend I attended the Citizen’s University, a conference to explore community-building and to teach leadership in civic life. Hosted in my home City of Seattle, I joined the conference as a representative of the University of Washington Husky Leadership Initiative. At the conference catalysts and activists from around the US gathered to listen, learn, share, and grow. Diverse professional leaders and social activists shared the podium to express their passions and calls for action for a variety of social causes. Closing the conference was a panel that included Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the new executive director of Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion. On stage Dr. El-Sayed reported a mortality rate in Detroit of 15 per 1,000 infants who do not make it to their 1^st birthday; a far worse mortality rate than the US National average of 4 infant deaths per 1,000 by age one. An innovative Public Health Administrator, Dr. El-Sayed acknowledges the issue of infant mortality as a top priority in his community and he is working to understand why marginalized populations suffer worse health than their counterparts, especially in relation to preterm birth and infant mortality. As you may see in the picture, it was my pleasure to meet Dr. El-Sayed, a compelling preterm birth advocate and NICU community partner.

Sending a shout out to Dr. El-Sayed! Thank you for your efforts to serve the NICU community.

Neonatal Womb Warriors – who impacted your NICU journey?

Please consider taking the time to thank them whether it be in your heart, through a note, an email or a social media message!We are powerful and grateful warriors!

What are your passions and “calls for action”?

We are #NICUStrong!

Author: Kathy Papac and Kathryn (Kat) Campos

Kathryn (Kat) Campos: Hello, I am a former 24 week gestation micro-preemie. I lost my twin brother Cruz at birth and encountered open heart surgery with no anesthesia at 3 weeks old weighing 1lb 3oz/0.58kg. I served on the University of Washington Medical Center Advisory Board Neonatal ICU Council from 2013 to 2015. I am passionate about assisting and supporting our Global NICU Community. If your a Preterm Birth/NICU Survivor this blog is dedicated to you, your family, and all members of the NICU Community. Together lets support other Preemie Survivors, Preemies, Preemie families, Preemie Community, Neonatal and related Staff, Providers, Professionals and Facilities. We ALL have stories to share and preemie journeys to help empower! Kathy Papac: Preemie Mom of surviving (Kathryn) and a deceased (Cruz) 24 week gestation twins. Neonatal Womb journeyer, counselor/legal expert with an MA certificate in Spirituality, Health and Medicine from Bastyr University. Passionate Global Community participant. Our goal is to recognize, honor and empower the Neonatal Womb community and shine light upon the presence and potentiality of the preterm birth survivors as vital community participants. View all posts by Kathy Papac and Kathryn (Kat) Campos