Premature Boy Named After Emory Hospital Celebrates 2nd Birthday With Nurses Who Cared For Him

A little boy born extremely premature at 24 weeks who survived despite all the odds recently celebrated his second birthday on July 10, reunited with the nurses who took care of him.

The boy's name is Emory--named after Emory Johns Creek Hospital, where he was born and spent the first several months of his life.

Emory Hammonds’ mother, Ashante Hammonds, said she named her son after Emory Johns Creek Hospital (EJCH) because of the incredible care they received from doctors, nurses and staff in the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) two years ago.

“His name means 'brave, powerful and strong,'” she said. “Our experience here at the hospital and the meaning of his name made it a perfect fit.”

Hammonds said she arrived at Emory Johns Creek Hospital at 22 weeks pregnant when her amniotic sac began to leak. She said doctors told her because she didn’t have enough amniotic fluid in her womb, there was a serious chance her son would not survive.

“My stomach transformed from having a baby bump, to looking as flat as a table,” Hammonds recalled.

Doctors performed an emergency cesarean section on Hammonds at 24 weeks to deliver her son, Emory. He weighed only 1 pound, 11 ounces.

Emory spent more than eight months hospitalized – half of that at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. He was then transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, where he received a feeding tube and tracheostomy, and stayed for another four months.

EJCH staff say Emory has overcome incredible odds, and his nurses saw him make it through big hurdles during his hospital stay.

“I remember him being so small, he could literally fit into the palm of your hands,” said Brenda Thomas, RN-C. “There was a very slim chance he could make it through -- but being the fighter that he is, he did it.”

Karen Lacy, RN, says Emory faced many ups and downs with his health along the way.

“He gave us a run for our money on many nights,” Lacy says.

Emory’s parents say his doctors and therapists are impressed about the progress he’s made.

“He went from needing blood transfusions, being dependent on a ventilator and a feeding tube, to now eating by mouth and we’re going through capping trials in order to one day get his trach removed,” Hammonds said.

Lacy says it’s been amazing to see Emory meet milestones, and she says he really stands for what EJCH is all about.

“We focus on caring for and loving someone so small, especially when they’re facing some of their toughest obstacles,” Lacy said.

Throughout all the challenges, Hammonds says her family, friends, and faith carried her through.

“I just had faith in God and trusted that everything would work out," she said.