Having a baby in the NICU is not an easy experience. Now multiply that by three. This is what triplet mom Renata Zelenchuk went through in 2006. Thankfully, her story has a happy ending.
Her kids, Gabriella, Isabella, and David Zelenchuk, were cared for at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Eighteen years later, the healthy and happy teens came back to be reunited with the staff that cared for them. They will soon be off at college and are all going to pursue jobs in the medical field.
Renata was working at the hospital as a registered nurse when she gave birth. “It’s been over 18 years, but that time is still fresh in my mind,” she told People. “All of the nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists — everyone took such great care of my babies. I will never forget it, and I’m very, very grateful for it.”
The triplets were born prematurely. At birth, Gabriella weighed 3 lbs., 2 oz.; Isabella was 2 lbs., 4 oz.; and David was 4 lbs. Each child spent a different amount of time in specialized care. Isabella spent seven weeks in the NICU, the longest amount of time of her siblings.
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The triplets' stay in the NICU was a difficult but ultimately beautiful experience for Renata. “[There were] a lot of challenges. A lot of tears. Happy moments and sad moments,” she recalled. "They beat all the odds."
The reunion, which occurred on May 15, 2024, was a moving experience for all involved. “They remembered where we were in the hospital," Gabriella explained to WFXT. "They remembered our parents holding us and coming every day to see us… We also got to see diapers NICU babies wear." The triplets were also given “Brigham and Women’s Hospital Alumni” T-shirts.
Jennifer Kirby-Cencarik, a nurse who cared for the triplets, was nervous for the reunion. “I’m so used to handling babies and not having actual conversations with my patients, but then I met them again and they were so engaging, kind, and intelligent," she explained to People. "I always tell families, ‘I’m never going to forget you.’ They’re not just a number here. They’re someone important to me.”
Jennifer and her colleagues' hard work paid off. The triplets are living proof of that. Gabriella is off to Northeastern University where she will be on a pre-med track. Meanwhile, Isabella will study biomedical engineering and public health at George Washington University. David got a presidential scholarship to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology where he will complete an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s in biomedical engineering.
Mom Renata remains grateful for the care her babies received at the beginning of their lives. “I want to say a special thank you to the wonderful NICU nurses. They take care not only of the most vulnerable and tiniest patients but also their parents,” she gushed. "Being a parent of premature babies is a very frightening and emotional journey, so I want to thank them for providing a compassionate hand and a warm hug when we needed it the most.”
