
Hawaii Nurse’s Alertness and Empathy Saves Newborn’s Life, Family Grateful
TL/DR –
A family in Hawaii praised the quick thinking and empathy of nurse Karen Oskins, who saved their newborn baby’s life. Oskins noticed an abdominal irregularity on baby Leila Yamashita right before giving her first bath, leading to her quick transfer to a higher level of care at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu. After spending five days in the NICU and undergoing a procedure, baby Leila was confirmed to be able to live a normal life, leading the Yamashita family to establish a tradition of visiting and giving back to the medical staff every year.
Quick-thinking Hawaii Nurse Helps Save Newborn’s Life
In Hawaii, a family is expressing gratitude for the exceptional medical care they received while welcoming their newborn. Read the full story here.
Baby Leila Yamashita was born at Hilo Benioff Medical Center on May 31 amidst a team of supportive hospital staff and family. The Yamashita family was eagerly awaiting to bring Leila home when nurse Karen Oskins took the initiative to give the newborn her first bath.
During the preparations for the bath, Oskins noticed an irregularity. “I called in my team right away…we needed to act quickly,” Oskins said. The baby had to be transported for higher-level care immediately, a decision that left the family in shock.
“We knew that it was serious enough that she had to be flown off the island,” Yamashita shared. Oskins identified an abdominal issue that required Leila to be taken to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu.
The uncertainty of the situation was challenging for the Yamashitas, but the compassionate care they received from the medical staff was a source of comfort. “Those nurses really took us on as if they were our ohana…Karen held our hand through it all,” said Yamashita.
Baby Leila spent five days in the NICU and, after undergoing a medical procedure, the family was assured that she would thrive and lead a normal life. This experience has inspired a new tradition for the Yamashita family – visiting the medical team annually to express their gratitude.
“Every year we’re going to go back and give back to the nurses who helped save our baby,” Yamashita pledged. “I’ll never forget…how kind and thoughtful they were…they went above and beyond for us.”
—
Read More Health & Wellness News ; US News