Newsworthy

NICU Social Worker Turned Wedding Planner

Everyone appreciates a good love story and on August 4, Stormont Vail Health was proud to play an active role in one.

Melonie and Roderick, a couple from Junction City, were on their way to Illinois to get married and celebrate their love when unexpectedly, Melonie became very ill and needed to get to the doctor. Melonie was pregnant at the time so she was immediately transferred to Stormont Vail in order to provide the best possible care for both herself and her unborn baby.

Because baby decided to try and come far too early, Melonie and Roderick’s wedding plans were cancelled, for the time being, in order to focus on the more pressing heath issues.

While in our care, Melonie gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Mariah, who would need to spend time in the NICU at Stormont Vail for the foreseeable future.

Thanks to the wonderful Ronald McDonald House in Topeka, Mariah’s parents were able to have a place to stay nearby to Stormont Vail where their sweet girl was temporarily living. During her visits in the NICU, Melonie had mentioned her longing for the wedding that was so abruptly cancelled. One of our social workers in the NICU, Elizabeth Freeland, knew exactly what she needed to do in order to make her big day happen!

Melonie and Roderick getting married in the Stormont Vail Health chapel.

Although it was nowhere near their original plans or date, on Thursday, August 4^th, Melonie and Roderick were married in the chapel at Stormont Vail Health, surrounded by their children – including baby Mariah.

The family was overjoyed to be able to spend this time celebrating together and the Stormont Vail team couldn’t have been happier to assist in making this wedding possible.

On top of the heart-warming ceremony, Melonie and Roderick were also able to have a small reception at the Ronald McDonald House with the help of their team.

Stormont Vail Health is beyond proud to have team members who not only care about their patient’s physical health, but do everything they can to show that same care for the patient’s whole self.

Welcome to the world, Mariah, and congratulations Melonie and Roderick on an absolutely unforgettable love story.

Melonie and Roderick’s first family photo as a married couple.