Full circle moment: from NICU baby to medical doctor

Nathalee Ewers, born at just 29 weeks and weighing two pounds and two ounces, is now a doctor. It’s hard to imagine that the same person once spent her earliest months in an incubator at Sunnybrook’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), fighting to gain weight and strength. It’s a true full circle moment for Dr. Ewers.

Born at Women's College Hospital, she was quickly transferred to Sunnybrook. Her mother had arrived at the hospital with what seemed like a minor concern, only to find herself having to deliver her baby. It was a frightening start, but one met with compassion and support from the care teams.

Her parents caller her their "miracle baby," as the worry transformed into wonder. "Once the shock settled, it became about setting goals. First, it was to gain weight, then gallop, run, throw a ball," Dr. Ewers says, reflecting on how her parents found hope in small milestones.

Sunnybrook's annual Preemie Picnic, a celebration of premature infants cared for at Sunnybrook, became a tradition for the family. "It was phenomenal," Dr. Ewers recalls. "As a kid, it was just fun, running around, seeing other children who had been in the NICU. As I got older, I began to appreciate it even more." She eventually returned as a volunteer, giving back to the community that supported her.

Dr. Ewers credits her parents, extended family and the NICU team at Sunnybrook for their support. She says the team's communication and compassion gave her parents peace of mind during the most stressful time of their lives. 

Dreaming big, starting small

Dr. Ewers knew she wanted to be a doctor from the time she was five years old. The decision wasn't directly tied to her time in the NICU but was influenced by another deeply personal experience: her mother's diagnosis of lupus. "At that age, I just wanted to cure lupus," she says. Her interest in science only grew, and she dove into programs, science camps, and eventually university courses in biology and anatomy. She also said that the Preemie Picnics helped reassure her that becoming a doctor is what she wanted to do.

On the other side of the stethoscope

Now, years later, Dr. Ewers finds herself on the other side—no longer the patient, but the doctor. "It's pretty surreal," she admits. "After all the MCATs, the applications, the long days and nights, it's hard to wrap your head around the fact that I made it. Sometimes, I forget all the hard work it took."

She doesn't take it for granted. "I feel very lucky," she says. "Not everyone gets to pursue something they've dreamed about for so long."

A message to NICU families

Looking back, Dr. Ewers hopes her story offers encouragement to others. For families with a baby in the NICU, she wants them to know that early challenges don't define an entire life. "They may experience unique challenges, but support your kids in discovering what they can do. Don't be the one to set their limits."

And to anyone pursuing a dream, Dr. Ewers shares her insight: "Sometimes, letting go of something that doesn't feel right is just as important as sticking with what does. There isn't one 'right' way to succeed. As long as you're honest with yourself, you'll find the right route."