Family’s Deaconess Hospital experience leads to lifelong support of NICU
Almost 20 years ago, MultiCare Inland Northwest Foundation Board Vice Chair Kelly Fukai went into labor with her first child. Concerned about feeling feverish and achy, Kelly went to Deaconess Hospital in Spokane. Twenty-four hours later and before her son was born, the team noticed the baby’s heart rate was decelerating; he was in distress due to an infection of the amniotic fluid.
Although Kelly was scared for her newborn, she found herself surrounded by a care team determined to help.
“That was one of the things that struck me right away,” she remembers. “The staff was great at taking care of my son, but they also knew that I was sick. They kept telling me, ‘You’re a mom. You have to be healthy to take care of your son, so let us take care of you, too.’ It actually gets me emotional to this day — the care that those nurses and doctors had for both of us.”
Meanwhile, baby Mason headed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Seeing the teeny, tiny babies with wires and tubes everywhere, Kelly’s heart went out to all the families.
“You immediately have this comradery with the parents in the room that we’re all going through this, and it’s really hard and really scary,” she explains. “But, you’re not alone in it. The nurses got me situated and brought Mason out to me so that I could hold him. They were good at explaining what was going on, what was wrong with him and what they were doing to make it better. They were very serious, but they were also very reassuring. I felt like this was the best place for him to be.”
Supported by the incredible NICU team, Mason grew stronger. And his Deaconess Hospital journey has had a lasting impact on the entire family.
Igniting a passion for the NICU
Kelly’s sister, Katy Miller (left), was studying at Washington State University when Mason was born. Moved by his care experience, she chose to go into nursing. Now, she’s a NICU nurse herself at the very place that cared for her first nephew.
As for Kelly, when Deaconess Hospital joined the MultiCare Health System, she saw MultiCare’s commitment to the community and wanted to be part of the positive change.
“MultiCare showing up has really changed the game,” she explains. “Plus, having my sister be a nurse there and her talking about how much she loved the MultiCare family really drew me in. I wanted to learn more. I was also at a time in my life where I thought about where my son’s (NICU) journey could have gone. I was feeling profound appreciation for that work, the gift I had and the gift that my son had in the care that he received. I wanted to give back.”
Kelly connected with MultiCare Inland Northwest Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Kadyk asking how to get involved. Soon after, Kelly became part of the board of directors.
“I love that the board is new and filled with great models, mentors and ideas,” she says. “With our intimate number, we get to interact with each other a little bit more, and I get to engage with members of my community that I haven’t before. My favorite part of each meeting is the mission moment, when former patients, nurses, doctors and volunteers get to share their stories. We all have this collective, shared MultiCare experience.”
While his mom helps lead the MultiCare Inland Northwest Foundation board, Mason looks forward to starting his second year of college. As she watches her son grow up, Kelly honors where it all began with her time, talent and treasure.
“At the NICU, for me, that’s where life started. My first-born child was there,” she shares. “I have a deep attachment to that experience — that’s where for me, life really became life. It showed me how much we need a community of people to help support us. I wouldn’t have gotten through that without all the care that I received both from my family and my friends, but also the nurses. I want to support all these great people who spend their days, nights, weekends, taking care of my family, your family and every family in the community.”
Today, Deaconess Hospital’s NICU is supported by funds raised through MultiCare Inland Northwest Foundation. You can make an impact and help support the NICU’s growth with your donation today.
