Children's Hospital Changes Lives Of Premature Baby & Mom

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Roman Oskin, 2, was born 16 weeks premature. Early on, he was transferred from Magee-Womens Hospital to Children's Hospital.

You might say, so was his mom.

"I got too caught up in the beginning, looking ahead, what's going to happen, when's he going to be home? When's this going to happen? It doesn't do any good to do that," Jessica Oskin said.

She said she's learned to take it one day at a time.

Roman was just two months old when he was operated on at Children's Hospital. A trach tube was installed to enable him to have a stable, open airway.

It interferes with his vocal cords, for the time being. But, when it comes out, he'll have a lot to say.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Director Dr. Beverly Brozanski said the constant presence of Roman's mother is crucial.

"His personality is related to how wonderful mom is, and how she interacted with him all throughout his care. We have great nurses and great physicians who really give personalized interaction," Dr. Brozanski said. "But, it's that singular interaction from one person, that one person voice, that one person touch.

The single mother is president of the newly formed NICU Family Advisory Board.

"We're not doctors, so they can kind of be on our level, can be on that parent level, and give them an idea of what's to come. So, it seems to help a lot of them," Oskin said.

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