NICU Patient Returns to Give Thanks

Zach Zaborny weighed 1 pound, 12 ounces at birth. Born at 26 weeks (14 weeks early), Zach spent his first six months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at UMass Memorial Medical Center. His legs were so small that his father’s ring could fit around one of them. In his first three days, his lungs collapsed three times.

Now 32 and living in Arizona, Zach graduated from Kansas State University and works in the real estate industry. On Sept. 28, 2022, Zach returned to the hospital so he could thank two caregivers who saved his life. Paul Dunn, MD, the obstetrician who delivered him, now works in a local practice affiliated with UMass Memorial Health. Zach was also thrilled to meet nurse Anne Castonguay, a 35-year veteran of the UMMH NICU, who cared for him every day.

As a way to give back to the unit that saved his life, Zach is leaving a portion of his estate to UMass Memorial Health in his will.