Coalition awards girl, 5, for service to NICU babies: SouthFlorida.com

Caring for babies, nurturing mothers' health and bringing joy to newborns are just some of the selfless acts performed by the recipients of the annual awards given out by Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County Inc.

But never has an accolade been bestowed on one so young.

Five-year-old Susan Rossano will be awarded the 2009 HMHB Guardian Angel award on May 8 for delivering Christmas gifts to babies at the neonatal intensive care unit at Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines.

For the past three years, Susan has celebrated her Dec. 22 birthday by standing on her tiptoes to rest Christmas gifts next to premature babies learning to breathe and eat so they can go home to their moms and dads.

This past birthday, Susan saved her allowance to purchase 13 Mrs. Potts and Chip dolls from Disney's Beauty and the Beast for the NICU babies. Susan, who wants to deliver babies when she grows up, was born in the NICU. When she looked at the pictures of herself in the NICU, she was disappointed there were no Christmas presents and decided to take action so no other children in the NICU would be without gifts on Christmas Day.

"I give to them because they don't have any toys; because the mommies and daddies cry; because it makes them happy," said Susan, who also visited her 3-year-old sister, Rylin, in the NICU, which cemented her resolve to deliver the gifts.

"It's not often you find a child who thinks so ahead of their age like Susan, who stands out in the way she does, and you feel an urgency to give them recognition," said Kathy Dunbar, executive director of the coalition. "What is so amazing about Susan is she understands emotions that parents and babies feel while they are in the NICU, often fighting for survival."

Dunbar is no stranger to that struggle and shares a strong link to Susan's Dec. 22 birthday. Her baby died eight hours after admittance to the NICU and three days before Christmas in 2002. Her loss helped her connect with Susan's story, which she read about in the Community News section of the Sun Sentinel in January.

"I know what it's like to experience those emotions," said Dunbar, who carries a picture of her daughter, Abigail, with her at all times. "Susan understands that concept, and for anyone at her age to think like that, it's truly amazing."

Susan was recognized along with the rest of this year's honorees at the HMHB's kickoff event on Feb. 24 at Pier 66 and will officially receive the Guardian Angel award at the HMHB of Broward's Mother's Day Luncheon May 8. Susan is the youngest person to be awarded in the 17-year history of the Mother's Day event.

Susan's mother, Colleen, who was also in attendance at the kickoff event with Rylin and several other family members, couldn't be prouder. She relishes every Dec. 22 visit to the NICU.

"The parents are so excited that this little kid comes in giving gifts," said Rossano, of Davie, whose diabetes is the main reason both her children were born premature.

Each year, the HMHB honors a minimum of nine outstanding mothers and one father of the year. The individuals are nominated by members of the community and honored for their dedication to the children of Broward County.

"When I read the article about Susan, I knew I wanted to know her personally because of our Dec. 22/NICU connection, but I also felt she deserved recognition for her efforts," Dunbar said. "When I thought about what she was doing, I realized she was acting as a guardian angel for these little NICU babies and their families by caring for them during a very difficult time, which normally should be joyous. Our Guardian Angel award was perfectly suited for Susan."

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County is dedicated to reducing infant deaths by providing resources and education to pregnant women, parents and their families.

HMHB provides access to prenatal care, education, advocacy and public awareness for all families in Broward County but most especially for those who are unable to afford private care. For more information, call 954-765-0550 or www.hmhbbroward.org.