William Cooper Hollinger ("Will") As a neonatologist at Niswonger Children’s Hospital in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Dr. Shawn Hollinger spends his days taking care of the tiniest babies and the families who love them. But on February 19, 2016, Shawn’s role unexpectedly switched from doctor to parent of a tiny NICU patient. Shawn and his wife Jennifer were surprised when their new baby was born prematurely at 31 weeks. William Cooper Hollinger was 4 lbs and 7 oz. at birth and his lungs were underdeveloped and he required intervention a few minutes after birth to help with his breathing. He continued to struggle for 11 days before he was able to breathe on his own. As many preemies experience, it was a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs during the first two weeks. After lots of help from Nurses, Practitioners, Doctors, Respiratory therapists, Speech Therapists and Physical therapy Will finally began to move forward and eventually became a feeder grower. He spent a total of 31 days in the NICU at Niswonger Children's Hospital. For Dr. Hollinger this was a big transition as he was now the parent having to watch helplessly as others made plans for his sons care. Looking back on their experience Dr. Hollinger recalls how he is always telling parents that "having a baby in the NICU is a roller coaster experience,” but he learned that telling someone what to expect is much different from going through it yourself. Knowing what it feels like to be a parent in the NICU has given him more insight about his job as a Neonatologist and has made him proud that our area in East Tennessee is able to offer such great care of the littlest babies. Will is now 3 years old and developmentally on track and catching up on his growth curve. He loves to play with trains, kick the soccer ball and enjoy time with his two big sisters, Emmie and Paige. “They say it takes a village to raise a baby, for a preemie it feels more like a small city!” Dr. Shawn Hollinger