Babies are fragile โ like a compact, living box of priceless glass figurines.
Theyโre especially vulnerable during their first few days in neonatal intensive care.
Recently, Hurricane Laura forced a mandatory evacuation in parts of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
This includes the members of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
But it was practically impossible to move 19 of the hospitalโs newest residents โ an adorable ensemble of newborn babies in neonatal intensive care.
Members of the staff asserted that if the babies could not safely evacuate, then they would stay and take care of them.
Due to worsening weather, the crew decided to hunker down.
Shout out hospital workers.
Unfortunately, this medical team wasnโt up against any typical storm.
Far from it.
In fact, Hurricane Laura had gusts up to 135 miles per hour!
So who was brave enough to stick around?
Well, neonatologist Dr. Juan Bossano and a fantastic ensemble of 14 nurses, two nurse practitioners, and three respiratory therapists remained in NICU to tend to the babies.
They werenโt about to put their safety in jeopardy.
Stand aside Batman, these are heroes.
Real, existing heroes.
Who needs the Justice League when we have so many great people in our own universe?
In preparation for the storm, the babies had been sent from the associated Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women just that day. Some of them were born prematurely, while others needed ventilators.
Many of them required immediate medical attention.
The local health systemโs director of communications, Matt Felder, told CNN,
โWe transferred 19 NICU babies from that facility to our main campusโฆin record timeโ19 babies across the city in under two hours.โ
Prior to the emergency move, hospital staff and even members of the local sheriffโs department contributed to the livelihood of these children, pitching in for incubators and respirators to ensure their care.
Then, the storm arrived.
The crew settled down in the hallways, as far from glass and wind as possible.
The night was filled with terrors, but they pulled through despite damaged air conditioning and loss of utilities.
Fortunately, the staff made sure to keep the understandably anxious parents informed and updated throughout the storm.
Thanks to this amazing team of doctors and nurses, these newborn babies are now safe and sound! Theyโre in perfectly capable hands.
Dr. Bossano puts in a good word for his incredible staff,
โItโs important to know the dedication of all the nurses and the respiratory therapists to keep taking care of the babies when they donโt even know the condition of their homes. In a small town like this, people have to pull together. Iโm proud of them.โ
Hurricane Laura didnโt stand a chance.
After word of the staffโs heroic deeds got out, the story became a smash hit on CNN.
ICYMI: Winds howled, water leaked through windows and the generators kicked on at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Despite it all, the NICU staff kept all 19 of its babies safe through the Category 4 storm. (via CNN) https://t.co/Milx67xDHw
โ clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) August 29, 2020
Despite the wreckage and rubble in the local community, these babies were safe and sound in the warm embrace of true heroes.
In the end, the staff made the best call. Heroically, they were able to tend to their infant patients while maintaining everyoneโs safety.
Instead of having to deal with the pitfalls of ridiculous logistics and moving parts, these babies remained safe and snug in the hands of their wonderful protectorates.
Theyโll grow up forever grateful!
What do you think of this hospital staffโs collective heroism? Whatโs something especially heroic youโve seen recently?
Being a hero certainly isnโt easy, but it can make a world of difference in someoneโs life.
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