Finding meaning in unimaginable loss

The day after what would have been Zachary Banet’s 29th birthday, his mom addressed the grand opening crowd for the Baptist Health Floyd NICU.

Emily Banet, service director for the hospital’s Women’s and Children’s unit, wanted to explain why opening the NICU was a passion project. “I needed to share what I was feeling,” says Emily, moved by her personal loss that fueled a decades-long commitment to other parents. “I knew there was a reason for the timing.”

With the opening of the NICU, Emily realized a dream born out of tragedy almost 30 years ago. A dream made possible with the help of Baptist Health leadership and the generosity of donors.

Honoring Zachary

Emily, a labor and delivery nurse at the time, and her husband, Doug, were expecting a healthy baby boy. He was their first, and they were excited. But that excitement turned to fear … then grief in a few short days.

Zachary started with breathing problems right after delivery. By 5 p.m., he’d coded three times.

Zachary had become septic from group B strep, a common bacteria that can be found in the gastrointestinal, reproductive or urinary tract during pregnancy.

Thirty years ago, expecting mothers were only screened for the bacteria at the beginning of pregnancy.

Emily was devastated … but she used that pain to push her forward. She went back to work on the labor and delivery floor four weeks later. She and Doug had two other children in the next couple years, and over the last few decades, Emily began moving into leadership positions within Baptist Health Floyd.

“My mission is here,” says Emily. “I knew I had to stay at Baptist Health Floyd.” Emily wanted Zachary’s death to mean something. “I don’t want parents to have to know the pain of separation from that newborn. I don’t want a father to question whether to stay with his wife or his child. I don’t want another mom to receive a phone call that her child won’t survive.”

Emily believes in the quality and the convenience of the new NICU at Baptist Health Floyd, and she knows just how much the generosity of others has made this a reality.

Philanthropy flows through it

Today, Emily’s department has NICU view cameras in all the patient bays. Moms and dads can tune in to watch their little one 24/7 and find peace of mind.

While that’s one type of patient care that philanthropy provides, there’s more critical necessities.

“We all know that healthcare is underfunded,” says Emily. “A lot of times the equipment and the things we absolutely need are also expensive.”

As one of the most tenured employees at Baptist Health Floyd, Emily has watched the hospital evolve and she has more hope than ever for the future. The hospital is growing to meet the needs of the community and recently launched a dedicated Foundation. The hospital will open a pediatric unit in the coming months.

Now a member of the Foundation’s first-ever President’s Circle, Emily is coming full circle. “I’ve been on the giving end and on the receiving end of philanthropy,” says Emily. “I was raised that you lean toward kindness, helping others and generosity.”