Tricia

Tricia is a mom of two. In 2004, her water broke at 23 1/2 weeks and she was admitted to Strong Memorial Hospital where she would stay until her daughter Jamie was born at 25 1/2 weeks (considered barely viable at the time). Jamie was 1 pound 7 ounces at birth and spent 87 days in the NICU at Golisano Children's Hospital. Jamie came home two weeks before her due date to join big brother Nikolas. At discharge Jamie was just 3 pounds 10 ounces but doing everything she was supposed to.

Tricia says there is nothing like having support from a person who has been on a NICU journey. This has shaped the many ways she gives back to our hospital. She has been on the Family Advisory Council since 2006. She says her proudest achievement is starting and developing the mentor program in our NICU in 2010. That involves Tricia and other former NICU parents reaching out to families currently in the NICU, sitting by the bedside, providing emotional support and sharing in their struggles. Tricia also organizes and trains parents in the NICU Family Support program that hosts Family Nights each month in the NICU. Tricia is also a part of developing the virtual NICU Buddy Program that was started in 2021. For her efforts Tricia was awarded the 2014 Miracle Maker Award for Outstanding Commitment by a Grateful Parent and the 2016 Louise Criticos Volunteer Recognition Award from Friends of Strong.

Thanks to donor funding, a part time NICU Family Advisor position was created in 2023. Tricia was hired into that position where she furthers the programs mentioned above.