Distinctly Montana Magazine

www.DistinctlyMontana.com 91 to have a neonatologist or a neonatal nurse practitioner. In 1990, Bene s staff became pioneers in the use of surfactant, which keeps babies' underdeveloped lungs from sticking together. In 2009, a NICU in the new South Tower represented a departure from the outdated model of a single room with a bay of bassinets, with beeping, buzzing, and other noises that were hard on the tiny babies. The South Tower debuted with 17 private rooms with bassinets and daybeds for parents, helping encourage the family's involvement in growing and bonding with the baby. The NICU also is set up to care for multiples in a special room, and staff has welcome triplets and quadruplets into the world. Among them were the rare identical and naturally conceived quadruplets Autumn, Brooke, Calissa, and Dahl Jepp, called the Canadian Quad Squad when they arrived in 2007. Melody Martinsen of Choteau shared her NICU story this year, too. She remembers her terror when her son arrived six weeks too soon, weighing only 4 pounds, 9 ounces and gravely ill. Before he was even an hour old, Madison had crashed three times. Amid the memories of that rst awful night are the sight of her tiny son breathing with the help of a ventilator and Dr. Ronald Coen and Marlene Lund watching over him. "They told us that if Madison began to die, they would come and get us so we could hold him, and, through the night, every time the heavy outer NICU door opened, our hearts stopped," she said. "I think Dr. Coen worked with angels at his side, and it did take a miracle for Madison to live. We thank him for our son's life." Melody and her husband, Jeff, watched the NICU staff care for Madison through a heart-valve problem, underdeveloped lungs, and a virus. "There just aren't words to express how amazingly grateful we were to all of those compassionate, professional, beautiful nurses who cared for Madison at his most vulnerable," Melody said. On Sept. 22, 1996, Madison came home. Today, he is an electrical engineer who recently graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman and lives in Lewistown. For 50 years, the Bene s NICU has been the difference for hundreds of babies like Oaqlynn and Madison. Providers, nurses, and others on staff, donors, and advocates have been with families through life, loss, and itty-bitty victories. A tradition of advanced care. Learn more at Bene s.org How Bene s Foundation Donors Support NICU Families: NICU Fund: Supports enhancements to the NICU such as bili lights for jaundice treatment and NICview cameras to give parents/grandparents peace of mind when they can't be at the bedside. Angel Fund: Provides nancial assistance for parents who must travel for a baby's treatment. Gift of Life Housing: Provides a free place to stay for parents who travel to Great Falls to care for a baby in the NICU. Mercy Flight: Transports expectant mothers and babies to treatment with a specialized ight team. To support these littlest Montanans and their families, please visit Bene s.org/give.

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