Women and Infants Hospital

Lyndsey expected a smooth delivery when her full-term, eight-pound son, Cole, was born via scheduled Cesarean section. However, complications arose immediately when Cole was unable to breathe due to undiagnosed congenital pneumonia.

Despite two days of intensive care at Ascension St. Vincent Women’s Hospital, Cole’s blood oxygen levels remained critically low. He was transferred to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, where he received lifesaving Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy to support his heart and lungs.

After four days on ECMO, Cole's condition improved, and he was able to breathe on his own. A month later, he finally went home to meet his older brother. Looking back, Lyndsey deeply appreciates the location of the Women and Infants Hospital in conjunction with the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital as moms and babies are now able to receive care under one roof.

For twelve years, Jessica has cared for premature infants in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. Her passion for nursing began when her own daughter, Jordann, was born prematurely at just 25 weeks. While Jordann fought to survive, the care she received in the NICU deeply impacted Jessica, inspiring her to become a nurse.

Now a healthy teenager, Jordann is following in her mother’s footsteps, with dreams of becoming a NICU or pediatric nurse herself. Together, their story reflects the powerful bond between families and caregivers, and how one family's experience can inspire a lifelong dedication to helping others.

Katie and Morgan Lucas have been long-standing supporters of Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and Ascension St. Vincent. Their early interactions with the hospital were in 2008 with the start of the Lucas Oil Eric Medlen Memorial Golf Tournament, which has now raised over $1.8 million in honor of their late friend and drag racing driver, Eric Medlen.

Their connection is also personal with both of their sons, Hunter and Austin, being born and receiving care at the hospital. In 2013, when Hunter was a newborn, he was hospitalized at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital with RSV. The experience was overwhelming for Katie and Morgan as young, new parents, but the compassionate care Hunter received contributed to his quick recovery and left a lasting impact on the family.

In 2023, Hunter faced another medical challenge when a large arachnoid cyst was detected, leading to a successful surgery at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital by pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Jodi Smith. Their experience deepened their appreciation for the hospital's holistic care–caring for body, mind and spirit.

Katie currently serves as the Chair of the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation Board of Directors, and is committed to ensuring other families receive the same quality, faith-based care. The Lucas family's philanthropy has significantly advanced patient care, including support for projects like developing a pediatric MRI suite, enhancing the classroom for the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital school teacher, supporting Dr. Smith’s pediatric neurology research, and more. Through their efforts, they have left a lasting impact on the lives of countless families.

Kendall entered the world under critical circumstances when his mother, Sparkle, went into labor at just 25 weeks. Sparkle had not even known she was pregnant until a few weeks prior, and her rapidly worsening health led to an emergency Cesarean section to save her life. Weighing only 15 ounces at birth, Kendall was immediately transferred to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.

For the next 460 days, Kendall’s tiny body fought through multiple complications related to his extreme prematurity. Over the course of his long stay, he reached important milestones—celebrating his first birthday, getting his first tooth, and learning to crawl—all while under the care of a dedicated medical team. A turning point in his journey came when Kendall received a tracheostomy to assist with his breathing, allowing him to become stronger and more active.

Finally, after over a year in the hospital, Kendall was able to leave the NICU and go home with his family. Though he still requires support with a tracheostomy and feeding tube, Kendall’s story is a powerful testament to his resilience and the life-saving care he received. His journey, from the critical early days to the joy of going home, reflects the unwavering dedication of his family and the medical team who helped him thrive.

Estefania and Richard faced the unimaginable when they were unexpectedly transferred to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. Just three days later, their son Giorgio was born via cesarean section, at just over 23 weeks gestation. Giorgio’s arrival, months earlier than expected, marked the beginning of a long and emotional journey in the newborn l intensive care unit (NICU).

For the next 190 days, Giorgio bravely fought for his life, surrounded by a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and hospital associates who cared for him every step of the way. After six months in the NICU, the day finally arrived for Giorgio to go home. His care team, who had become like family, gathered in the hospital hallway to celebrate this milestone. With pompoms in hand, they cheered and lined the path as they exited the hospital—a moment filled with joy, relief, and hope for the future.

Giorgio's journey is a testament to the resilience of one tiny fighter and the unwavering support of a medical team determined to give him the best start in life.

Misty, 27 weeks pregnant, developed a cough and soon tested positive for COVID-19. Her condition quickly worsened, leading to her transfer to Ascension St. Vincent Women’s Hospital. Despite initial treatments, she required a ventilator and was placed on a life-saving ECMO machine. To save both her and her baby, doctors performed an emergency C-section, delivering baby Chase at 31 weeks.

Born prematurely, Chase was transferred to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, where he spent three months receiving critical care. Misty, still recovering at a separate hospital, couldn’t meet her son for six days. The separation was difficult for both Misty and her husband, David, as they had to split their time between different hospital locations. This is why they are grateful that the Woman and Infants Hospital now exists for future families so that moms and babies can receive care under the same roof.

Despite the challenges, Misty remembers the acts of kindness from the healthcare staff, who supported her both physically and emotionally during her recovery. After weeks of intensive care, Chase’s condition improved, and he was finally able to go home, marking the end of a long journey from critical care to recovery for both mother and son.