After experiencing the healthy, full-term birth of their daughter Olivia, Dick and Ann Bondi had every reason to expect the same with a second pregnancy. Even after a routine ultrasound revealed the surprise of twin boys, the Bondi’s were optimistic about carrying the babies to full-term.

Because of the unexpectedness of Ann’s second pregnancy, she switched obstetrics practices so she could deliver at Magee. After the Bondi’s discovered they were having twins, they were very relieved to know that if the babies needed to stay in a Neonatology Intensive Care Unit (NICU), that Magee’s was state-of-the-art.

The twin boys - George Carroll and Richard Paul III, a.k.a. “Trip” - were born on June 21, 2005 at 32 weeks gestation – 8 weeks shy of full-term birth. George weighed 4 lb 3 oz and “Trip” weighed 3 lb 15 oz.

To the right: “Trip” and George sit with their older sister, Olivia, healthy as can be thanks to the care they received at Magee’s NICU.

Because they were born prematurely, many complications arose that the Bondi family had to face including jaundice, apnea, bradycardia, GERD, and most significantly, intraventricular hemorrhages that were discovered just prior to discharge.

Dick Bondi, a former Naval Flight Officer, spent numerous hours in Magee’s NICU with his wife and daughter Olivia. He passed the time by drawing Navy jets on the dry-erase boards in the room. The nurses felt that little George had been shortchanged since he lacked a nickname. After seeing dad’s drawings, the nurses dubbed George “Jet.”

Throughout the twins’ stay in the NICU, Ann and Dick traveled two times a day, totaling about

two hours of driving per day, to visit their newborn sons. After one month, Trip and Jet came home.

Currently, they act like any other rambunctious toddlers and spend their days running, climbing, laughing and eating everything in sight. The boys keep everyone entertained with their non-stop dialogue and are learning the fine art of negotiation and conflict resolution.

“We expected that our fragile babies would receive the highest quality medical care at Magee. What surprised us was that the doctors, nurses, and staff at Magee were also concerned with how our family, as parents and a new big sister, were coping with the unpredictable ride of having two children in the NICU.”

The Bondi family expected high-quality medical care from the Magee physicians and staff and was not disappointed. Mom and Dad gained the confidence to care for two tiny new babies thanks to the guidance of the nurses. Additionally, during a very scary time for a six-year-old, Olivia was always made to feel important in the lives of her new younger brothers.

The Bondi family is forever grateful for the NICU of Magee-Womens Hospital.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING: Neonatal Intensive Care

OUR COMMITMENT TO: Neonatology