Southwest Health’s Medical Staff recently made a donation to a local nonprofit organization, helping to support parents with babies recently admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). 

Wherever You May Romy, a local nonprofit, was created in memory of Romy Mae Sazama and in honor of Jack Schmelzer. The mission is to supply rural hospitals with totes and blankets to provide to parents with babies transferred to the NICU. As two moms with babies that spent time in NICUs, Jessica Schmelzer and Kayla Sazama, hope to provide a feeling of comfort they provided to each other when their babies spent time in NICUs. They understand the emotions parents can experience along the way.

“It’s hard to put into words how much a blanket not only changed my NICU experience, but really changed my life. It was a simple gift from a dear friend, Kayla, just letting me know, ‘I understand your emotions, you aren’t alone, and I’m thinking of you.’ If we can provide that feeling of support to just one family, we’ve really accomplished what we set out to do,” Shares Wherever You May Romy cofounder Jessica Schmelzer.

Southwest Health’s Medical Staff recently made a $2,000 donation to Wherever You May Romy, which will supply 50 totes and blankets to NICU parents in the years to come. 

“We are proud to support Wherever You May Romy as they provide these totes as a source of comfort to parents as their babies are transferred to the NICU,” says Birth Center Director Jenny Salis. “Thank you to our Medical Staff for their generous donation, allowing Wherever You May Romy to continue their efforts.”