This NICU transport nurse has spent 40 years flying with newborns

WASHINGTON (InvestigateTV) — A nurse who transports critically ill newborns to a Level Four NICU in the nation’s capital has marked 40 years on the job.

Janice Berry works on the transport team at Children’s National Hospital, flying with newborns to bring them to the hospital’s NICU.

Berry said she decided to go into nursing as a child.

“Ever since I was about ten years old, I always loved working with kids, taking care of kids. And it was about that point I decided I wanted to go into nursing,” Berry said.

Tamica Doy’s daughter, Payton, was born prematurely and was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis, a condition that can kill.

“The first thing they said to me was your daughter has NEC and if it’s her entire intestines, she may not make it, so my first interaction was tough,” Doy said.

“She was very sick when she came over,” Berry said.

Doy said Berry told her something that stayed with her.

“And that’s when Janice came in and she said it’s OK, you have a warrior princess here and she’s gonna be OK. And that helped a lot,” Doy said.

“Yes, those words, she’s a warrior princess and I called her that every day in there.”

Payton reflected on her early medical history.

“I think wow, I’ve been through a lot but I survived it, got better and now when people see me they can’t believe that it’s me when I was younger,” Payton said.

Berry said working with both children and their families is the most rewarding part of her job.

“I think working with the child and the family as a whole, I think is really incredible, because you’re not just taking care of that sick baby, you’re taking care of the whole family,” Berry said.

Berry and the transport team help more than a thousand newborns each year. She said the team’s work continues after landing.

“So any time we are not on transport we can help out in the NICU,” Berry said.

Berry said seeing Payton’s progress has been meaningful.

“Now she is doing great, and thriving. She’s an honors student. That is kind of a full circle moment to get to see that the care that we’ve given has really made an impact,” Berry said.

Doy reflected on Berry’s role in her life, saying that “she was the start of our story so she’ll always be a part of our story.”

Asked how much longer she plans to work at Children’s Hospital, Berry said she plans to continue.

“Well, a couple more years at least,” Berry said. “To be determined. TBD!”