Every May we celebrate National Nurses’ Week, Hospital Week, and EMS Week. We’re thankful for healthcare professionals in our hospitals and communities who partner in the care and safety of patients. In celebration of healthcare professionals and during National EMS Week, we want to share a very special patient story brought to us by a mom in our community.
On December 20, 2023, Nicole Ricker was exactly 28 weeks pregnant and experienced a “spontaneous birth” on the front porch of her home in Lehigh Acres. Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District was the first to arrive to find that her baby was breach and being delivered at that moment. EMS untwisted the cord from his neck and finished delivering. The baby was then rushed to Lehigh Regional where he spent the next countless hours fighting for his life. Nicole writes, “I would like to thank everyone involved in saving my baby’s life. I had to prepare for the worst as he was barely breathing, but the wonderful, experienced, kind, amazing staff at Lehigh Regional saved my baby’s life! It was truly a miracle. After spending 68 days in Golisano Children’s Hospital NICU, baby Jameson Daniel Ricker came home February 26, 2024 and has been thriving since! I cannot express enough in words the gratitude and appreciation I have for all involved in my little miracle. Thank you!”
Special thanks to Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District- Firefighter Paramedic Michael Picciano, Lehigh Regional Medical Center Attending Dr. Foluso, Nurse Cindy, Nurse Jonathan, EMT Gustavo, Respiratory Therapist Sandy, and the Golisano team.