STORY & PHOTOS BY
JILL HOLLOWAY
Coming to the baby’s rescue Respiratory Therapist Edwin (Ed) Newton has been experiencing the miracle of birth for 30 years, helping resuscitate premature babies or babies born via C-Section.
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ny mother who has had a traumatic birthing experience can tell you that Memorial Hospital and Manor Respiratory Therapist, Edwin (Ed) Newton is a real life hero. Newton has been with MHM for 35 years and previously served as the director of the Respiratory Therapy Unit for 15 years. Since working at MHM, Newton has been to hundreds of births and experienced the miracle of life countless time. “We go to every C-Section,” he explained. “Rather it’s a primary or secondary C-Section, we go to all of them.” In addition to going to every C-Section, Newton said he and his team also go to every vaginal birth when the
32 • Heroes
baby is premature or if the doctor suspects there may be a problem. “We step in for the Pediatrician,” Newton said. “We are able to intubate the babies, perform CPR on the babies and do the initial assessment.” Although the RTs can’t do anything without the doctor’s permission, they are often needed, due to their CPR experience and certification in Neonatal Resuscitation. Through their extensive training and presence in the delivery room, Newton said RTs have had almost a 100 percent success rate with resuscitation. “I had a baby born that was only two pounds that I had to intubate, and I’m happy to say that it was a success,”
