For Kelly, her connection to Maxim Healthcare Services began long before her career as a Client Coordinator. It started nearly 18 years ago, in a hospital room, as she faced unimaginable uncertainty as a new mother.

A Fight for Life from Day One

Kelly’s son, Lukas, was born at just 25 weeks, weighing 1 pound, 10 ounces, and measuring under 10 inches long. Doctors gave him only a 25% chance of survival. From the very beginning, Lukas faced extraordinary challenges.

Although he was initially breathing on his own, Lukas required intubation within a day and needed frequent resuscitation. His condition was complex and fragile; he was born with fused eyelids, underdeveloped ears, and extremely delicate skin. Kelly watched as her son grew inside an incubator, unable to hold or even touch him during those earliest days.

Lukas depended on constant medical support. He required a ventilator to breathe, Nitric Oxide Therapy to help his lungs develop, and medications, including caffeine injections, to support his heart function. Even on his best days, his oxygen levels remained critically low.

As time went on, additional complications emerged. Lukas was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and experienced a grade 2 brain bleed, which impacted his brain development and raised concerns about future mobility challenges, including the possibility of cerebral palsy.

Despite these diagnoses, Lukas continued to fight.

Overcoming Setbacks

At just a month old, Lukas faced another life-threatening complication: necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a severe intestinal infection. That night, he was resuscitated 22 times.

For Kelly, it was a turning point.

“That evening, I realized that my tiny baby was literally fighting for his life and mine and he would not only get through this but grow to be the strongest kid I knew!”

As Lukas grew stronger, he underwent surgery, including a Nissen fundoplication and G-tube placement, allowing him to receive nutrition and begin gaining weight safely. Slowly, he began to stabilize.

Still, his first year of life was spent almost entirely in the hospital, including every major holiday, from Thanksgiving to Easter.

Bringing Care Home

As Lukas prepared for discharge, Kelly was introduced to the idea of home healthcare, something she had never previously considered.

Like many parents, she was hesitant. The thought of bringing nurses into her home to care for her medically fragile child felt overwhelming. But after training on all of his equipment and conversations with a Maxim recruiter, Kelly agreed to meet with potential nurses.

“He reassured me that the nurses go through an interview process, background checks, fingerprints, and so on.”

That decision would change everything.

Through Maxim Healthcare Services, Kelly and her family found not only skilled clinical support but also compassionate partners in Lukas’ care.

The nurses who entered their home became an essential part of Lukas’ growth and development. They managed his medical needs, including medications and G-tube care, and also supported his physical, occupational, and speech therapy exercises in ways that felt natural and engaging.

They read to him. They played with him. They taught his parents how to support his development every step of the way.

“The nurses helped Lukas every single minute they were in our home.”

Milestones Made Possible

Lukas continued receiving in-home nursing care until he was ready for kindergarten. Along the way, his nurses were present for countless milestones, moments that once felt uncertain, but became possible through dedicated care and support.

When Lukas was finally discharged from home nursing, Kelly reached out to the recruiter who had first helped her take that leap of faith.

“I called and spoke with him and told him, THANK YOU over and over again. I still remember his response ‘that is what I am here for.”

A Full-Circle Moment

Years later, in 2024, Kelly found herself interviewing for a position with Maxim. During the process, she realized something incredible: the person interviewing her was the same recruiter who had supported her family years before.

Inspired by her own experience, Kelly joined the team as a Client Coordinator, helping other families navigate the same journey she once faced.

Now, when families thank her, she shares the same words that stayed with her all those years:

“That is what I am here for.”

Looking Ahead

Today, Lukas’ story is one of resilience, growth, and possibility.

He is graduating from high school this year and plans to attend Bowling Green State University in the fall of 2026, an incredible milestone that once may have seemed out of reach.

Kelly’s journey, from a mother navigating uncertainty in the NICU to a professional helping families bring their children home, reflects the lasting impact of compassionate, skilled care.

It’s a story of trust, perseverance, and the power of saying “yes” when it matters most.

Maxim Healthcare understands the unique needs of families caring for medically fragile children. Our nurses and caregivers support your child’s health and help them participate in activities. Visit our pediatrics page to learn more about our services and contact your local Maxim office for more information.