NICU volunteer channels passion for community’s tiniest as capital campaign co-chair

February 22, 2022 | By Shelby Taylor

Liz Morris offers the healing power of physical touch during her volunteer shift at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU is supported by community generosity.

Liz Morris — a former MultiCare Deaconess Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) developmental therapist and current volunteer — had her philosophy of care crystalize while helping a teenage mother.

“I was working with this very young, probably 16-year-old mom, and she was attempting to breastfeed,” Liz remembers. “She started to cry because the baby was fussing. She looked at me and said, ‘My baby hates me.’ I closed the drapes and told her, ‘You’re everything to this baby. This baby is a person of value that loves you unconditionally.’”

Liz worked with the young mother to help her feel more secure, like part of a whole.

“Babies don’t go home with us; they go home with their families,” she explains. “So, it’s our job to make sure they’re comfortable, able to properly care for their babies and feel as if they can be the advocate.”

For several years, Liz worked at both Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Deaconess Hospital. When she had the opportunity to practice full-time as a speech-language pathologist at Deaconess’ NICU, she jumped at the chance.

“I think this is an amazing group of people,” Liz shares. “They’re deeply committed to Deaconess and the families we serve. I always felt we could come together as a team to problem-solve even some of the most difficult cases. I knew it was in the children and family’s best interest to arrive at team-based decisions to provide optimal care.”

Liz also experienced the donor-supported unit as a grandmother.

Older photo of a woman holding a baby Woman and child smiling

Liz pictured with her grandson Asa.

Liz’s grandson suffered a rough start and was in the NICU for the first week of his life.

“He’s a brilliant 11-year-old child and had a lot of love to start with,” Liz says. “Deaconess did a very nice job with our family, and I was proud to say I was a part of that program.”

From therapist to NICU volunteer and Foundation supporter

After a 15-year career serving babies born prematurely or with serious health problems, Liz retired but soon returned to Deaconess in a volunteer capacity with the Eat, Sleep, Console program.

“We began this model to help babies born drug-addicted,” she explains. “Eat, Sleep, Console is based on scientific research, and an integral piece is to have a volunteer base to hold these babies, so they can get through their withdrawal symptoms without using medication. We’re using human touch as medicine.”

Most recently, Liz has taken her passion for little ones and their families to new heights by sharing her story in support of MultiCare Inland Northwest Foundation’s fourth annual Heart Strings event and co-chairing the NICU capital campaign.

Heart Strings, held on April 29, 2022, at 8pm at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, is a one-of-a-kind, intimate concert featuring Joe Nichols, Cam, Andy Griggs and Frank Ray. The event will support the elevation of level of care and expansion of access to care for the tiniest and most vulnerable members of our community.

“I choose to support the Foundation and the NICU because I believe in the not-for-profit system very strongly when it comes to health care, and MultiCare is a strong advocate for cutting-edge care in the Pacific Northwest,” Liz says. “Heart Strings funds will help us serve families better. We’re all advocating for improved NICU facilities, instruments and equipment. These things will improve patient care, improve outcomes and help take stress off families, so they can spend time being an advocate for their child.”