Port St. Lucie Family Returns to Tradition Hospital to Say “Thank You”

When Cheryl Sheppard, RN, a nurse in the Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), received the news that a former patient was returning to visit, she was overjoyed. 

“This was a first for me,” she said. “My heart was just filled.” On June 30, eight-year-old Nathan Jensen, and his mother Stephanie, returned to the NICU where they were welcomed by Cheryl and fellow NICU caregivers.  

“I couldn’t stop hugging Nathan,” Sheppard said. “He is so cute and well-behaved. When he said, ‘Thank you for saving my life,’ it was all I could do to keep myself standing.” 

8 years later, Nathan and his mom now stand with Tradition Hospital's NICU staff who saved his life. (Photo Courtesy: Cleveland Clinic)

Upon seeing the Jensen’s again, Cheryl was reminded of the experience of identifying a potentially life-threatening condition in Nathan – and the events that followed.  

Nathan Jensen was delivered at Tradition Hospital at 29 weeks' gestation on June 22, 2017, and admitted to the hospital’s Level II NICU. At four weeks old, he began to show signs of distress.  

“I observed Nathan was behaving differently and his abdomen was distended,” Sheppard said. “When he had an abnormal, oily stool, I knew he was in trouble.” Cheryl escalated her concerns and Nathan was immediately transferred to a Level III NICU in Miami. Nathan was diagnosed and treated for necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious intestinal disease that primarily affects premature infants. “If Cheryl had not acted when she did, Nathan could have lost his bowel or even his life,” Stephanie said.  

During the reunion with Nathan and his mom eight years later, Cheryl was moved by their gratitude.   

“I’m so honored to be able to do this work all these years,” Cheryl said. “When I was hugging Nathan, I felt like I was hugging all of the babies I cared for over the years. Each of them is so precious.” 

Nathan hugging Cheryl for saving his life. (Photo Courtesy: Cleveland Clinic)

Stephanie Jensen expressed her unwavering trust in Tradition Hospital.  

“The hospital staff was so passionate and thorough, I knew Nathan was safe and in good hands,” she said. “Cheryl became part of our family during that time. Without the care he received in the Tradition NICU, our story could have ended very differently.”