Mercyhealth NICU nurse reunited with former patient 29 years later while caring for her NICU baby 

A NICU nurse at Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside was reunited with a patient she cared for almost three decades ago while caring for the patient’s own NICU baby.
Taylor Hayward was only 25-weeks’ gestation when she was born 29 years ago weighing 1 pound and 13 ounces in the NICU at Rockford Memorial Hospital. Jamie Nadowski was Taylor’s primary nurse. After Taylor was discharged, Jamie sent cards and kept in touch with Taylor’s parents every year to stay updated on how Taylor was doing.
The two unexpectedly reunited in person two weeks ago when Taylor welcomed her own baby at just 34 weeks’ gestation in the NICU. Baby Eaden, who was born weighing 4 pounds, 10 ounces, is now being cared for by Jamie as well.
“I have worked at Rockford Memorial Hospital and now Mercyhealth for 43 years, and this is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a nurse,” said Jamie. “To have been so fortunate to get to know this amazing and very special family and care for not one but two of their very precious babies in our NICU.”