PHOENIX, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The doctor said, “It’s triplets,” and Joel and Rachel Kilby entered the world of high-risk pregnancy.
The Luke Air Force Base supply sergeant from Litchfield Park and his wife didn’t expect triplets. Neither had triplets in their family histories and they didn’t know what to expect during the next few months and immediately after the babies were born.
Austin, Conner and Grace were born within three minutes of one another on the afternoon of Feb. 6, 2005 at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and placed in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for premature and at-risk newborns.
“Austin and Grace had breathing problems,” Rachel said. “Each day something was changing with each baby. The nurses and doctors were helpful, kind and thoughtful.”
It’s for military families like Joel and Rachel Kilby that TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which provides access to quality health care for America’s military family, is contributing $100,000 to the help fund the expansion of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital’s McDowell campus.
“Providing health care for the military also involves caring for the spouses and children of active duty service members who remain at home. Our men and women in uniform put themselves in harm’s way to preserve our freedom, and it is imperative that we do whatever it takes to serve their families well,” said TriWest President and CEO David McIntyre Jr.
“Phoenix Children’s Hospital has an impressive history of helping infants in critical situations,” he said. “We are pleased to contribute to its future and trust that America’s military families find comfort through the excellent care at PCH.”
TriWest’s gift will help Phoenix Children’s Hospital add 28,400 square feet to its 8,300 square foot Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at its McDowell campus.
McIntyre will present the gift to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and CEO Bob Meyer at a ceremony attended by Mr. and Mrs. Kilby, Richard Dozer, co-campaign chair of the hospital’s fund-raising effort, and community and health care leaders. They are available for interviews.
Time: 1 p.m. Date: Thursday, June 30 Place: Phoenix Children’s Hospital 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix About TriWest
TriWest Healthcare Alliance is a Phoenix-based corporation that partners with the Department of Defense to provide access to cost-effective, high- quality health care for 2.7 million members of America’s military family in the 21-state TRICARE West Region, which is comprised of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and western Texas. For more information, visit www.triwest.com
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
CONTACT: Richard Gray of TriWest Healthcare Alliance, +1-602-564-2399, orrgray@triwest.com
Web site: http://www.triwest.com//