Morgan Kowalski

2023

My son Thomas was born on June 10, 2018 at 25+1 weighing 1lb, 11oz and measuring 12.5in long. He arrived shortly after we realized he was coming, and for no apparent reason. Tommy the Tiger (as he was fondly nicknamed by providers) overcame cellulitis of the abdominal wall, hyperbilirubinemia of prematurity, 9 weeks ventilated (7 of which were on the jet), two unplanned extubations, a PDA ligation, premature atrial contractions, systemic hypertension, osteopenia of prematurity, anemia of prematurity, severe growth failure, a significant tongue tie, reflux, stage 3 ROP, and still struggles with acute kidney injury, hypocalcemia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, asthma, slow weight gain, and a multitude of developmental delays. Phew! Health complications aside, Tommy has the biggest, brightest personality of any four-year-old I’ve ever met and makes me laugh every day.

I serve in our hospital's Family Connection Program, as a Parent Mentor through our NICU Family Support program, and as our NICU's Vermont Oxford Network Family Partner. After completing the Engage Grow Thrive Small Baby Care Specialist Program alongside providers, I've been working with leadership on quality improvement projects and participating in our Family Centered Care taskforce to offer the parent perspective on important initiatives across the unit. My family received extraordinary care at Golisano Children's Hospital, and their desire to improve the patient and family experience is a testament to their excellence.