Article by Kara Schwalbe

Photos by Keely Zimmermann 

September is Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shining a light on a world most parents never expect to enter. While every family hopes for a routine, uneventful delivery, national data reveals a stark reality: nearly one in ten births will require intensive medical care. 

“We take for granted that high-quality healthcare services will be available when we need them,” says Nichole Mehling, president of the Billings Clinic Foundation. “Oftentimes it’s not until after people have had an experience that they realize how important it is.” 

For those families, the traditional postpartum experience is instantly upended. NICU parents are often the only parents who must ask permission to hold their own children, and who face the difficult reality of leaving their babies at the hospital while they go home each night. Whether a NICU stay is anticipated or not, the experience can be traumatic and deeply isolating. Quiet newborn cuddles are abruptly replaced by a symphony of monitor alarms and a seemingly endless rotation of clinical specialists. In those fragile moments, having both a skilled care team and a physical environment designed to heal and support families can make all the difference. 

A Regional Haven for Our Smallest Patients 

The McComish Family NICU at Billings Clinic is a Level III facility, equipped with the technology and expertise to provide around-the-clock care for the region’s most vulnerable infants. Babies born as early as 25 weeks gestation have immediate access to a full care team, including board-certified neonatologists and pediatricians, along with nurses, neonatal therapists, lactation consultants and social workers. 

But the scope of this unit extends far beyond city limits. “We have the most comprehensive pediatric specialty program in the region,” Mehling says. “We see patients from western North Dakota, northeastern Montana, northern Wyoming, all the way to Bozeman.” 

Built by Families, For Families 

Recognizing that an immense region relied on this program, and that neonatal care is ever evolving, Billings Clinic leaders knew the existing space needed a transformation to better serve modern families. The Billings Clinic Foundation became the bridge to the community, launching a major fundraising campaign that began with the 2021 Billings Clinic Classic. 

The community rallied, raising over $4 million specifically for this overhaul. “Our community really stepped forward,” says Mehling. “They really step up for our kids, and that’s important. Philanthropy makes the load lighter for a lot of our patients and families. It’s the generosity of our community that makes that possible.” Because of that generosity, the project became a labor of love, built by local families, for local families. 

From Blueprints to Better Healing 

Opened in April 2026, the newly renovated NICU features 12 rooms, including four designed to comfortably accommodate families of multiples. Walking into the new space, the familiar sounds of medical equipment remain, but the overwhelming feeling is one of calm, thanks in part to an intentional addition of natural light that changed the space for patients, families and staff alike. 

The rooms were also redesigned with empathy for the parent’s journey. Each private room features comfortable seating and sleeper couches. Previously, families had to drag empty chairs around to sit near their infant’s bed. Now a mother recovering from childbirth has a dedicated space to rest, pump and practice “kangaroo care” (skin-to-skin contact) in peace. 

The renovation also delivered a separate family lounge: a place to sit, relax, and eat a meal. While a short walk to the hospital cafeteria might seem simple to a visitor, to a newly postpartum mother balancing “care times” and her own self-care, that walk can feel exhausting. The new space ensures families can stay close, supported, and together. 

The Heartbeat of the Unit 

While the community-funded walls are beautiful, what gives the NICU its heartbeat is the care team. These professionals become a steady anchor for parents navigating uncharted territory. “I always felt so comfortable here,” Shanna recalls. “They even included my dog in the family chart that hangs on the wall.” 

The nurses and NICU team work hard to infuse joy into a stressful situation, often decorating a baby’s room with a hanging name banner and paper crafts, or celebrating holidays together. Volunteers drop off gifts or even act as “cuddlers,” if needed. And every tiny win and ounce gained feels like a celebration. It’s those little touches that make patients and their families feel seen. 

A stay in the NICU rarely feels like a blessing while it’s happening. But looking back, most families find something they didn’t expect: a care team that felt like family, and a community that made sure they never faced it alone. For the smallest patients in the region, protected by a redesigned facility and cradled by a community invested in their future, that support makes all the difference. 

Wynnie and Wyatt (fraternal twin girls)  

Birth weight: 5 lbs., 9 oz. (both)  

Gestation: Born at 35 weeks  

Days in NICU: 21 days 

As an expecting twin mom, Shanna understood that a NICU stay was likely for her babies, but at 35 weeks’ gestation she believed she’d be able to take them straight home. She anticipated baby snuggles and imagined those adorable hospital photos with two tiny newborns in her arms. 

Unfortunately, both her babies needed a little extra help and were admitted to the NICU. “What I didn’t expect was all the tubes and cords and not being able to hold my babies at the same time,” Shanna admits. “There’s no way to prepare for that reality.” Fortunately, with the new accommodations, Wynnie and Wyatt had their own private room, and she was able to stay with them for their full stay, only stepping away in short bursts to care for herself. 

Today, those hard days are a distant memory. At 9 months old, Wynnie and Wyatt are thriving, showing off their distinct personalities and keeping mom wonderfully, “doubly” busy. 

Samantha Grace  

Birth weight: 1 lb., 8 oz. 

 Gestation: Born at 27 weeks  

Days in NICU: 138 days 

Judith and Shane had only started thinking about nursery colors and baby names when she went in for a routine check-up at 27 weeks. Within 24 hours, their 1-pound, 8-ounce baby girl, Samantha, made her entrance. 

Samantha’s NICU stay began in the quiet dark of intensive care before eventually moving to a spacious private room with windows. They were especially appreciative of the room that allowed them to stay overnight and invite family in for visits. When they couldn’t be there, they knew the nurses and staff would keep them fully updated. “We are very grateful for where we are today,” Shane reflected. “After she was born, we really weren’t sure she would make it.” 

But Samantha had other plans. This September, she turns 15 months old and is in glorious toddler mode: running, eating, splashing in swim class, and proving just how strong a tiny miracle can be. 

Originally printed in the September 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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