October 28, 2004 - (Rockville Centre, NY) -- The miracle of birth at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre is still celebrated more than a year after twins were born to a couple who know only too well how precious life is which explains why they came back to the hospital to thank their physicians, nurses and support staff and to celebrate the children’s birthday literally where they were born.

Alice and Frank Naudus say their twins spent the first 49 days of their young lives in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where they received round the clock care and the type of specialization that ensured their survival. The professionalism of the staff and the sophistication of the technology so moved the couple that they presented a donation to the Unit following the one-year birthday of twins Frank and Marie.

Proud mom Alice explained, “We couldn’t have done it without the NICU. My babies would not have survived without this unit. Being here is our birthday present to our children.”

The twins were born at 32 weeks and both of baby Frank’s lungs were collapsed. He was in such serious condition doctors candidly told the parents that his chances for survival were slim. In addition, little Marie was born with a small hole in her heart. Fortunately the hole closed before she was discharged, however both children were on respirators, both were jaundice and both needed all the help they could get to survive.

Swarna Devarajan, MD, Chairperson of Pediatrics, explained, “Alice and Frank are very kind to credit the staff at Mercy for helping both children pull through in what was an enormously difficult fight. Yet these young infants had the support of loving parents who were there virtually around the clock pulling for them. It was the synergy of that love and our medical professionals who brought the twins through and those children will have that inside their souls forever.”

Dr. Devarajan observed “We loved the idea that the family came back to celebrate Frank and Marie’s first birthday at the Unit. We actually look forward to seeing them for many more birthdays to come because nothing puts our work into perspective faster than seeing ‘our’ babies become active, noisy, full-of-life kids. It is one of the most important benefits those of us in medicine could possibly enjoy.”

Media Contact: Diane O'Dohert at 516-705-2619.