Life After the NICU: Growing Up and Giving Back 

When the Omerzo family’s daughter, Charlotte, was born premature in 2016, they had to spend some time at the WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

For many families, having a child in the NICU can come with uncertainty and fear. Through it all, though, Andrew Omerzo says the state-of-the-art, hands-on care his daughter received made all the difference. 

“It was a good experience,” Andrew Omerzo said. “The nurses were so caring, nurturing, positive and inviting. ... It was so positive and thorough.”

The providers within Berkeley Medical Center NICU were extremely involved in Charlotte’s care, and they engaged Andrew and his wife in that care to help equip them for the day Charlotte could go home.  

“Our highly trained NICU nurses provide exceptional, compassionate care during some of the most important and vulnerable moments in a family’s journey,” said WVU Medicine Director of Women's and Children's Services, East Jay Sine. “The impact of their work extends far beyond the walls of our NICU, touching the lives of babies, parents, and families throughout our community.” 

These days, Charlotte is “thriving” and her parents are actively teaching her and her brother the value of giving back to her community. 

 Every year, Charlotte and her brother, Teddy, take on a fundraising project. This year, it was a Dirty Soda stand, and when it came time to find a cause, the NICU was top of mind for both the Omerzo children.   

“They raise money and we teach them about giving back,” Andrew Omerzo said. “Both our kids this year wanted to donate to the NICU.” 

Charlotte and Teddy used the proceeds from their dirty soda stand to purchase premature outfits for babies who are staying in the NICU, just like Charlotte was years before.  

The Birthing Center at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center offers robust labor and delivery features, an onsite Level III NICU for high levels of newborn care, and a dedication to helping children here in our own community. 

“Our goal at Berkeley Medical Center is to deliver high-quality neonatal care close to home while increasing awareness that our NICU team is here, prepared, and ready to support the growing families of our community,” Sine said. “We are thankful for the care thankful for the care they provide and the impacts they make.” 

Learn more about our NICU and other pediatric services, and for more about how you too can give back, you can find information from the WVU Hospitals East Foundation.