St. Michael’s Hospital NICU marks 25 years of innovation and compassion
Doctor and two nurses weighing newborns, 1915
For 25 years, St. Michael’s Hospital Level IIc neonatal intensive care unit has cared for some of the hospitals and province’s tiniest and most vulnerable patients. Working closely with the Family Birthing Centre, the NICU helps provide a seamless care experience when newborns require critical care.
Opened in 2001, the unit created a dedicated space for babies needing specialized, around-the-clock care. Today, the NICU continues that legacy as a high performing centre equipped with advanced technology, grounded in family centred care. With funding from the Ontario government, the NICU will be relocated to a larger space in the Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower, to support the unit’s continued growth.
As St. Michael’s marks this milestone anniversary, a collection of archival photographs highlights the people, moments and innovations that have shaped the NICU’s evolution over the past quarter century.
Enjoying this story? Sign up for the Unity Health Toronto newsletter, a monthly update on the latest news, stories, patient voices and research emailed directly to subscribers.
More than a collection of photographs, these images preserve the stories of the patients, families and care teams who have been part of the NICU’s journey. Together, they reflect a 25-year legacy of hope, resilience and extraordinary care at St. Michael’s.
Behind every milestone are the people who made it possible. Hear from staff who have contributed to the growth and evolution of St. Michael’s NICU over the last quarter century.
Interview with Catherine Bishop, Clinical Educator
What do you remember feeling on your first day in the NICU, and did you think you would still be here 25 years later?
I remember my first day vividly. My start date was Nov. 5, 2001, move-in day, as we transferred babies from the old unit to the new neonatal intensive care unit on 15 Cardinal Carter. From the moment I walked through the doors of St. Michael’s, I felt I belonged. I remember telling my husband I might never leave, and 25 years later, I’m grateful I didn’t. My passion for neonatal care began years earlier. After starting my nursing career in Newfoundland and later moving to Toronto, I realized pediatrics was where I truly wanted to be. Inspired by stories from a colleague working in a NICU, I pursued that path and spent 13 years at the Level III NICU at Women’s College Hospital before joining St. Michael’s as clinical nurse educator. Looking back, I can’t imagine having built my career anywhere else.
In your early years, what were some of the biggest challenges and learning experiences you faced?
I quickly learned how multifaceted and rewarding the clinical educator role is. As part of the leadership team that helped build a new NICU from the ground up, I supported staff recruitment, policy development, partnerships with other GTA NICUs and collaboration across the hospital. Along the way, I learned as much from colleagues, families and the resilience of the babies in our care as I did from the work itself.
What is a memorable moment, patient, family, or colleague that has stayed with you throughout your career?
What stands out most is the extraordinary dedication of our NICU nurses. They are the heart of our unit, caring for our smallest patients while supporting families through some of their most difficult moments. Nothing makes me prouder than hearing from families about the impact our team has had on their lives. We truly are a family caring for other families, and I have always been proud to say, “I’m a NICU nurse.”
What advice would you give to someone just starting their first day in the NICU today?
Seeking out work that brings you both joy and purpose. You will know when you have found out where you are meant to be. That feeling is why I have spent the past 38 years in the NICU. It has been my second home, filled with incredible colleagues, remarkable families and tiny patients who have taught me some of life’s greatest lessons. And when I eventually retire, don’t be surprised if you see my name on the waiting list for the NICU Cuddler Program.
Interview with Michael Sgro, Physician
What do you remember feeling on your first day at the NICU, and did you ever imagine you’d still be here 25 years later?
When the NICU opened at St. Michael’s, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. Building a new unit came with many challenges, but it also provided an opportunity to create a program that could serve the unique needs of newborns and families.
How has the NICU evolved over the course of your career, from the technology and treatments available to the way care is delivered?
Technology and treatment have advanced significantly over the past 25 years, particularly in the care of newborns with lung disease. At the same time, care has become more family-centred, with parents playing an increasingly important role in their care of their infants.
Over 25 years, what has kept you motivated and inspired to continue this work?
The infants we care for and the families we support continue to inspire me. Seeing parents navigate challenges with strength and resilience motivates me to provide the best possible care.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their first day in the NICU today?
Working in the NICU can be overwhelming, especially when caring for the smallest and sickest infants. Remember that neonatal care is a team effort. Learn from those around you, learn from your colleagues and support one another.
Interview with Carolyn Jarman, Occupational Therapist
What do you remember feeling when you first joined the NICU team, and how has your perspective on the work changed since then?
I was nervous when I first joined the NICU team at St. Michael’s. Although I had experience working in a Level III NICU, I had never been the sole occupational therapist, and consistent occupational therapy support was new to the unit. I wanted to make a meaningful contribution to both the babies and families in our care, while also helping advance the role of occupational therapy within the NICU.
What quickly stood out was how welcoming and collaborative the team is. Nurses, physicians and allied health professionals work closely together, and I soon learned that meaningful change happens through partnership. Over time, my perspective has evolved to recognize just how essential those relationships are. Parents are the experts on their babies, and alongside the care team, they play a critical role in supporting each infant’s development and transition home.
What drew you to neonatal care, and what has made the NICU a meaningful part of your career?
After beginning my career in geriatric rehabilitation, I realized I wanted to work at the other end of the age spectrum. Neonatal care offers a unique opportunity to influence the future. Whether it is supporting infant-parent attachment, helping a baby learn to feed, or witnessing a parent hold their baby for the first time, those early experiences shape development in meaningful ways. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to support babies and their families during such an important stage of life.
What changes have you seen in the NICU during your career, whether in technology, treatments or the way care is delivered?
One of the biggest shifts has been moving toward more baby-led and family-centred care. Earlier in my career, healthcare providers largely determined when babies could feed. Today, we pay close attention to each baby’s cues and readiness, allowing them to play a more active role in the process. We have also moved from viewing parents as visitors to recognizing them as essential members of the care team. Their presence, knowledge and involvement are invaluable, and the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced just how important parent-infant connection is for growth and development.
What advice would you give to someone joining the NICU team today?
Never stop learning. The NICU is constantly evolving, and practices that were common years ago may no longer reflect the best evidence available today. Learn from families, colleagues, research and experience. As our understanding of neonatal care grows, we have a responsibility to continue improving the quality of care we provide to babies and their families.
Shay Johnson, Social Worker Pediatric Clinic
One of the NICU’s most meaningful impacts is the seamless, continuity of care it creates for newborns with complex medical, developmental or substance-exposure-related risks they receive through our specialist outpatient services. Through programs such as Baby Steps which offers specialized feeding help and Neonatal Follow-Up for NICU graduates, families receive ongoing monitoring, intervention services and specialized supports that support them after discharge. For some children, that journey may include early identification for assessment by our FASD Diagnostic Clinic. Creating these connections early helps ensure children and families receive the support they need to thrive after they go home.
By Jade Vyfhuis
Photos retrieved from cousin’s house, NICU albums