HARTFORD, Conn. — 27 years ago, Dr. Matthew Cummins was born premature -- at just 32 weeks -- in the same hospital neo-natal intensive care unit that he has recently been working in.
He spent a month in the NICU at Connecticut Children's as an infant. Now, Dr. Cummins is a pediatric resident at the same hospital in Hartford and is sharing his unique perspective with the parents of patients.
“I think I have a lot better understanding of what happened to me and I can reflect that to the parents that I am taking care of, I think I can offer them a little hope – a look into a future outcome,” Cummins said.
Marge Julian, the director of nursing at the neo-natal ICU at Connecticut Children’s said that Dr. Cummins' rotation through the NICU at the hospital has been a welcome addition.
“It’s been fulfilling to see Matt in this phase,” said Julian, “and to help him continue to grow and develop into becoming a physician -- and to help parents.”
Cummins, from Old Saybrook, hopes to practice as a pediatric cardiologist down the road, said sharing his past as a patient in the NICU is all part of paying things forward.
“It’s very cool, it’s surreal honestly,” Cummins added, “there is something very special about being able to be there.”
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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