Nearly 30 years ago, in the early hours of May 14, 1995, Dr Umesh Vaidya, then a Neonatal Fellow at Westmead Hospital, performed life-saving interventions for identical twin girls born prematurely with undiagnosed Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS).
Today, those twins, Freyja and Imogen Wadlow-Smith, are thriving professionals in the environmental sciences.
Their mother, Erika Wadlow-Smith, reached out to The Pulse to reflect on the moment her daughters were born.
“Freyja, born first, had an APGAR of 1. Umesh intubated so fast and worked on her expertly, saving her life. Imogen, the plethoric twin, was just as unwell. It was all such a blur at the time.”
Years later, Erika felt compelled to express her gratitude.
After some searching, she contacted Dr Vaidya, who had since moved to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and was preparing to return to India.
“I spoke to him just in time. He was delighted to hear the girls were thriving. He said no one had ever gotten back to him to say thank you before.”
Dr Vaidya remembers the moment vividly.
“I was surprised and overwhelmed by the connection after so many years,” Dr Vaidya said.
There is no greater happiness for a neonatologist than to see the wonderful long-term outcomes of high-risk babies.”
Dr Umesh Vaidya
Both twins have excelled in their fields. Freyja is an Environmental Scientist with the Department of Environment, and Imogen, an Atmospheric Scientist, is currently in Antarctica researching climate drivers while completing her PhD.
Recently, Freyja had the chance to meet Dr Vaidya in Pune, India, where he now works.
These are truly memorable events in the life of a doctor.”
Dr Umesh Vaidya
“It is uncommon to see an NICU graduate as an adult, let alone one who has flown across continents to meet her doctor. Meeting Freyja was exceptional and very gratifying. We exchanged stories, and she thanked me for the care she received decades ago.”
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Freyja to visit the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Pune.
“She took a tour and met the staff, who were very happy and impressed with her visit.”
Reflecting on his career, Dr Vaidya noted the impact of his training at Westmead Hospital.
“When I returned to Pune in 1996, the city had no neonatal ventilators. Westmead Hospital donated two refurbished Bear Cub Neonatal Ventilators, which saved hundreds of babies every year for more than a decade.”
“Over the past three decades, neonatal care in India has advanced significantly, and I’m proud to have been part of this journey.”
“Freyja’s visit rekindled my memories of my training in Australia and the journey that followed.”
For Erika, Freyja, and Imogen, they will forever be grateful for Dr Vaidya’s skill and dedication.