NICU Sibling Becomes NICU Nurse at Ebeid Children's Hospital

Welcoming a new sibling changes a child’s life forever. This was especially the case for Jody Blackmore, a nurse at ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). When her sister Alena Albright was born early and needed intensive care, Jody felt a deep sense of love for her baby sister. And she was inspired then and there to become a NICU nurse.

Baby Alena is Born

“After giving birth to two children at Toledo Hospital and believing our family was complete, I found out I was pregnant again in early 1996,” explains Jody Albright, who is Jody and Alena’s mother. “My pregnancy was not easy – I found out in late July that I was suffering from HELLP Syndrome and had to go immediately to Toledo Hospital and spend my last 10 weeks of pregnancy at the hospital.”

HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets) Syndrome is a serious pregnancy complication that affects the individual’s liver and blood. It is a more severe form of preeclampsia.

Jody had 10 more weeks until her due date, but her body had different plans. Five days later, she and her husband, Don, welcomed their 2lb, 13 oz. little girl, Alena.

“We spent the next 28 days in the NICU with the most loving, knowledgeable, helpful nurses and doctors that anyone could ask for,” says Jody.

Jody Discovers Her Dream Career

“My brother and I were at our grandparents' house when we received the phone call that our sister, Alena, was born,” remembers Jody Blackmore. At the time of her sister’s birth, she was eight years old.

“She was the smallest and most beautiful baby I had ever seen. I visited Alena in the NICU every day until she was discharged,” says Jody B. “During my visits, the nurses were so helpful, kind and loving.”

Big sister Jody became a regular at the NICU, helping the nurses by gathering and stocking linen. Then, she made a life-changing decision.

“At the age of eight years old, I decided that I wanted to be a nurse and someday work in the NICU as well,” says Jody B.

She graduated nursing school in 2010 and started working in the adult ICU, but always kept the dream of being a NICU nurse in the back of her mind. In 2013, a NICU position became available, and she went for her dream. She became a NICU nurse at the same NICU where her sister was cared for.

“I enjoy helping parents learn how to care for their child and watching the babies grow and eventually go home with their family,” says Jody B. “My favorite thing that I love about the NICU is getting the baby out for the parents to hold for the first time. I hope to bring comfort to families and provide loving and compassionate care.”

A Special Sisterhood

“I am so proud of my sister,” says Alena. “She never gave up on her dream and has now worked for the NICU for over a decade. She is an inspiration, and I know she has touched the hearts of many families while she has cared for their babies in the NICU!”

Jody B. isn’t the only one who went into the medical field. Alena did, too. She went to college for radiologic technology and graduated in 2016. Now, she works at ProMedica Toledo Hospital Emergency and Urgent Care.

“I took a different pathway into health care – medical imaging,” explains Alena. “I play a small part in the treatment of our patients, but I value the short time I am with them during their imaging exams. I love being able to be a friendly face for everyone I meet, and I always try to go above and beyond for my patients.”

Both sisters are grateful for the care Alena received in the NICU. And they share a special bond and admiration for each other.

“I want to thank ProMedica for providing exceptional care to me when I was just a newborn baby 28 years ago. Without them, I would not be where I am today,” Alena says. “I also want to thank ProMedica for inspiring my sister's dream to be a nurse, and for being a wonderful company to work for.”