The Faces Behind the Care of Brantford’s Tiniest Patients

Each year, the Labour and Delivery Unit at Brantford General Hospital (BGH) welcomes approximately 1,500 babies into the world. For nearly 300 of those newborns, their journey begins with specialized care in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The unit works vigorously to care for some of the region’s tiniest patients, eagerly watching them grow stronger every day.

A dedicated team in the NICU works together creating individualized care plans while providing comfort and guidance to parents and families during what can be a very trying time. Every heartbeat, every breath, and every milestone are carefully supported by a team, whose compassion is as vital as their clinical expertise.

This tiny, but mighty, unit is made up of 25 nurses, 9 pediatricians, a clinical manager, and many other important team members — all working tirelessly to give premature newborns as early as 32 weeks the best possible start in life. We spoke with members of the team to hear what makes the NICU so special, and why caring for these little fighters means so much to them.

Liz Almeida, Registered Nurse (RN)

Liz has been working in the NICU for over 38 years, and even after her retirement, she couldn’t stay away.

Can you share a little about your role in the NICU and how long you’ve been part of the team?

I began my career on post-partum right out of nursing school and moved to what was then called the Constant Care Nursery a year later—where I found my dream job and never looked back! After years of full-time, part-time, and job share, I retired in 2023.  I really did plan on fully retiring but I missed my babies and coworkers so much that I returned to work in a part-time role six weeks later. A perfect “semi retirement”.

What inspired you to choose a career in the NICU?

I wanted to be a nurse from about the age of 12. My maternal grandmother was a nurse, and my father was a doctor, so I grew up hearing stories of this very rewarding and noble profession. I always wanted to work with babies and children specifically.

Is there a particular moment or family story that has stayed with you?

With a career spanning almost four decades, I carry many babies and families in my memories, and in my heart! 
One of my most impactful moments came at the start of COVID, during the peak of fear and uncertainty. Difficult decisions had to be made in terms of keeping our tiny, vulnerable patients, as well as our staff safe, and visitor restrictions changed meaning only mothers could be in the NICU. It was heartbreaking, but we did everything we could to support families—lots of FaceTime and many tissues. I’ll never forget discharging premature twins, carrying out their car seats to the car, and watching their father meet them for the first time at three weeks old. It was overwhelmingly heartwarming, and a moment I’ll never forget.

What does it mean to you to be part of a baby’s first chapter in life?

Beyond rewarding. As NICU nurses, we wear many hats, including caring for fragile babies while also supporting parents, siblings, and grandparents through a difficult journey. With guidance, communication, teaching, and encouragement, we watch families grow in confidence and become empowered caregivers. Neonates and preemies are much stronger than people think and when taking cues from them, they are quite predictable.  Helping parents reach that sense of “normalcy” along their baby’s journey has been the most rewarding part of my career.

What makes the NICU team at BCHS special?

The NICU team is a really special group. We have an amazing team of pediatricians and RNs who work collaboratively and respectfully together, and it shows. Together with our multidisciplinary team, we strive to maintain best practise and provide safe, exceptional family-centred neonatal care. I am so proud to call myself part of #teamnicu!

Fun Fact: Liz’s love for the NICU inspired her daughter, who is now a NICU nurse too and loving every minute of it—thanks to a Take Your Kid to Work Day. To say Liz is a proud mom would be an understatement. 

Meghan McAllister, Registered Nurse (RN)

Can you share a little about your role in the NICU and how long you’ve been part of the team?

After completing a three-month placement at BGH’s NICU in my final year of nursing school, I was fortunate to join the team and have been here for just over a year. My role involves performing physical assessments, supporting interventions, and collaborating with the care team to create the best plan for each baby. One of the best parts of the job is providing education and emotional support to families during what is often a scary time.

What inspired you to choose a career in the NICU?

After my NICU placement, I knew I couldn’t see myself working anywhere else. I’ve always loved caring for babies and want to make sure both they and their families feel as comfortable as possible during their NICU journey. It's so rewarding seeing these babies at their most fragile and watching them grow stronger until they get to go home.

Is there a particular moment or family story that has stayed with you?

My favourite moments are being present for all the milestones – like when a baby comes off respiratory support or takes their first full bottle. It’s so special to share in the parents’ excitement as they get closer to bringing their baby home.

What does it mean to you to be part of a baby’s first chapter in life?

It’s an honour. One of the most fulfilling parts of the job is teaching and empowering parents to provide care for their babies, which can be intimidating since they are more vulnerable than a typical newborn. I also love being able to comfort them and give extra cuddles when the parents can’t be there! 

What makes the NICU team at BCHS special?

Our NICU team is special because of the way we always come together. Everyone is quick to lend a hand to ensure we’re providing the best care possible—so important in a unit where things can change in an instant. As a newer nurse, I’ve leaned on my coworkers for support and guidance, and I’m so grateful for everything they’ve taught me and the positive, encouraging environment they create.

Stephanie Wilbee, Registered Nurse (RN)

Can you share a little about your role in the NICU and how long you’ve been part of the team?

I’ve been part of the NICU team at BGH for 9 years now as a registered nurse. As a NICU nurse, we have numerous roles. Our team stabilizes and monitors infants born after 32 weeks, attends high-risk deliveries, and responds to neonatal emergencies. We work closely with pediatricians and allied health professionals to coordinate care, transfer critically ill patients to tertiary centers, and repatriate babies closer to home when they’re ready.

What inspired you to choose a career in the NICU?

As a nursing student, I had many placements on pediatric floors, and I knew that I wanted to work closely with kids. For my final nursing placement, I was lucky to be placed in a NICU and it solidified where I wanted to work. I loved working with neonates and their families, seeing their progression and found it very rewarding work.

Is there a particular moment or family story that has stayed with you?

It’s hard to choose just one moment — so many families hold a special place in my heart. The most rewarding moments are being there from admission to discharge, watching babies grow stronger and celebrating every step of their journey.

What does it mean to you to be part of a baby’s first chapter in life?

One of the best parts of my job is guiding families through one of their scariest times and then sharing in their joy as their baby reaches milestones such as coming off CPAP, their first oral feed, moving to an open cot, and eventually going home. Nothing compares to witnessing a baby’s first skin-to-skin cuddle with their mom — the joy on parents’ faces is truly unforgettable.

What makes the NICU team at BCHS special?

We have an amazing group of nurses and health professionals that we work with. The NICU is a smaller, close-knit unit and everyone works very well together. There are many that have worked in the NICU for quite some time, and others who are newer to the unit in the last few years. Everyone shares the same passion for working with this group of patients, supporting one another both professionally and personally. My work family makes coming to work a joy!

The NICU is a very special place in the hospital. I'm lucky to have fallen into my final placement, where I found where I was truly meant to be. 

Amy Griesser, Clinical Manager, NICU, Pediatrics, and Diabetes Education

Can you share a little about your role in the NICU and how long you’ve been part of the team?

For over three years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Clinical Manager of BCHS’ NICU, focusing on staff development while guiding a dedicated team to provide the highest standard of care for our most vulnerable patients. I support our tiniest patients and their families during some of life’s most challenging moments, ensuring they feel cared for and understood. My nursing journey began with 16 years in women’s and children’s health, including a decade in the NICU—where I discovered the passion that continues to drive every step of my career!

What inspired you to choose a career in the NICU?

I’ve always loved tiny humans and have been passionate about children and family-centered care. The NICU allows me to form deep connections with both patients and families, and that’s what I love most. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the strength of these preemies—to see them grow from fragile beginnings to thriving little humans—and to know that I’ve played a part in shaping their journey home.

Is there a particular moment or family story that has stayed with you?

The most impactful thing for me is being able to provide care right here in the heart of my community. There’s nothing like seeing former patients and their families thriving in Brantford, recognizing you, and thanking you for helping their little one reach where they are today. Hearing them say, “I don’t know how we would have made it through without you and your team,” is a moment that truly makes all the hard work worthwhile.

What does it mean to you to be part of a baby’s first chapter in life?

As a mother who’s been on the other side receiving care for their newborn, I know just how much that support means. If I can be that for someone else, that’s what inspires me to come to work every day. The NICU is such a difficult and overwhelming journey – it’s truly a whole different level of care. Having the chance to ease that stress and turn it into a more positive experience from the very start of a baby’s life is incredibly rewarding. The gratitude it brings is beyond words.

What makes the NICU team at BCHS special?

Our NICU team is tiny but mighty, and what makes them truly special is their compassion. We don’t just care for babies—we treat each one that comes through our doors as if they were our own. For this team, it’s never “just a job.” They’re constantly seeking new and innovative ways to deliver the best care in the region, staying sharp through education and critical thinking. Just as importantly, they build deep, personal connections with every family, which makes all the difference. I couldn’t be prouder of how far this unit has come, and I know without a doubt that our patients are in the very best hands.

Jessa Dooley, Pediatrician, Chief & Medical Director, Pediatrics

Can you share a little about your role in the NICU and how long you’ve been part of the team?

I have been a consultant Pediatrician at BGH since 2017 and Chief and Medical Director of Pediatrics & NICU since 2021. Our team manages a wide range of care for infants and children, with NICU as a major focus. In the NICU, we care for premature and medically fragile newborns, attend high-risk deliveries, perform emergency procedures and resuscitations, and support consultations across the hospital from the emergency department and beyond.

What inspired you to choose a career in the NICU?

I chose NICU and Pediatrics because I like babies and kids better than adults! I say that tongue in cheek, but really, babies and kids are little bundles of wonder and promise. There’s nothing more rewarding than supporting a family through both the happy, and difficult moments of their children’s lives.

Is there a particular moment or family story that has stayed with you?

There’s nothing more magical than seeing a baby who had the toughest start in life return as a lively toddler — full of energy, demanding stickers, and throwing Goldfish crackers everywhere. That’s when you know you’ve done your job, helping them grow into happy, healthy little kiddos!

What does it mean to you to be part of a baby’s first chapter in life?

Each tiny baby that comes through our doors is the light of that family’s life, filled with unlimited possibility. I always wonder how that little human is going to affect the world. I hope that by giving them and their families the best care and start in life, we are somehow creating a little ripple that contributes to making the world a little bit better.

What makes the NICU team at BCHS special?

The NICU team at BGH - nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacy, dietician, unit clerk, social work, environmental service aides and physicians - is a highly effective unit full of incredible skill and empathy. The team is extremely collaborative and works seamlessly together. I always tell them that I would trust them with the care of my own children, which I think is the highest praise a parent can give. Everyone is working towards a common goal - respecting one another’s skills and genuinely caring for every patient and colleague. I think this mutual care and admiration results in the best possible patient care.