When Eunae Jeong and her family relocated to Maryland from Texas in 2021, they had no idea how quickly their lives would change.
On the day they arrived, Eunae unexpectedly went into labor. Her daughter, Sophia, was born at just 24 weeks gestation at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and spent 129 days in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It was a time of uncertainty, fear and hope – a journey that would ultimately shape Eunae’s career and passion for patient care.
During those months with a newborn in the NICU, Eunae found herself in an unfamiliar place, facing one of the hardest experiences of her life without family or friends nearby. COVID-19 made an already isolating experience even more difficult. But she was never alone. The NICU nurses and care navigators became her greatest source of comfort, offering her unwavering support with their expert medical care for Sophia.
“They provided emotional support and practical guidance when I needed it most,” Eunae said. “They became a vital part of our journey.”
They explained every procedure, answered every question and included her and her husband in every major decision. When the weight of the situation became overwhelming, they encouraged her to take breaks, rest and to trust that Sophia was in the best hands. The nurses and care navigators became more than caregivers – they became friends.
The experience left a lasting impact. Having witnessed firsthand the dedication and compassion of the medical team, Eunae felt drawn to a career where she could make a difference in the lives of others in similar situations. With a background in pharmacoeconomic research, she initially considered opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. But when an opening arose at Shady Grove Medical Center, she knew exactly where she was meant to be. The hospital wasn’t just a workplace – it was the place that had saved her daughter’s life.
“I wanted to give back to the hospital that had provided such exceptional care to me and my family during our NICU journey,” Eunae said.
Today, Eunae is a clinical pharmacist at Shady Grove Medical Center, rotating through the NICU, Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery and the hospital pharmacy. Every morning as she drives past the hospital, she’s reminded of her journey – first as a mother fighting for her child’s survival, now as a caregiver ensuring other families receive the same level of compassion and support.
“I often see my own child in the tiny patients I care for,” Eunae said. “When I see a baby struggling to breathe, I’m reminded of my own child during that time. When I see a baby unable to cry due to intubation, I recall the months my child spent intubated. And when I see a mother in distress, feeling guilty about giving birth too early, I am reminded of my own experience, sitting in that chair.”
For Eunae, working at Shady Grove isn’t just a job. It’s a way to give back to the hospital that gave her family so much – and to stand beside other families on the same journey she once walked.
Explore Adventist HealthCare’s job openings at our website and discover rewarding ways to use your skills.
