Now more than ever, it’s important to show appreciation for the courageous superheroes working on the frontlines, especially our healthcare workers.
At the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), nurses, physicians, and support staff work around the clock to care for children and youth while comforting anxious parents. Among them, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team provides life-saving care to critically ill and high-risk newborns every single day.
The work is intense, both physically and mentally. Long hours and high-stress situations make it vital for staff to have a place to rest and recharge. Recognizing this need, Tina Lepage, a registered nurse and chairperson of the NICU’s Quality of Work Life committee, reached out to update the worn-out furniture in the NICU staff lounge.
In response, La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston proudly partnered with CHEO’s NICU to create a space of comfort and relaxation for the people who give so much of themselves to others.
In This Article...
- What is the CHEO NICU?
- How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected the CHEO NICU
- An Updated NICU Lounge by La-Z-Boy Furniture Donation
What is the CHEO NICU?
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at CHEO is a specialized facility dedicated to caring for critically ill and high-risk newborns. As a Level 3 unit, it provides the highest level of neonatal care available in the region, supporting babies born at the youngest gestational ages through to full term.
Here, infants receive specialized treatment that can include ventilatory support, surgical interventions, and ongoing medical monitoring. The unit also facilitates 24/7 neonatal transport services, transferring infants who require intensive care from hospitals across Eastern Ontario.
Beyond hospital care, the NICU team provides follow-up clinics for developmental screenings and growth assessments. Families return at scheduled intervals to ensure their child’s continued health and development.
The team also offers lactation support, helping new parents navigate feeding and bonding challenges in those crucial early stages. Every part of the NICU’s work emphasizes family-centred care, compassion, and community support.
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected the CHEO NICU
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges to the NICU’s already demanding environment. The team took on added responsibilities to ensure the safety of newborns, mothers, and staff.
Precautionary measures included isolating infants born to COVID-positive mothers and enforcing strict visitor limits, which meant fewer opportunities for parental bonding in those first days. These decisions, while necessary, were emotionally difficult for everyone involved.
The absence of volunteers, who typically help soothe babies and manage supplies, added more tasks to the staff’s already busy routines. Still, the NICU team adapted with resilience and continued to provide outstanding care.
Through every challenge, their compassion and dedication to the tiniest patients never wavered.
An Updated NICU Lounge by La-Z-Boy Furniture Donation
As a local Ontario business, La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston deeply values the work CHEO’s NICU team performs each day. When Tina reached out to request help updating their lounge, the answer was immediate.
“When a staff member from the NICU contacted us about the need for a lounge update, there was no question that we would help the amazing people at CHEO,” says Ron Mathurin, President of La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston.
The goal was simple: to restore comfort and create a relaxing space where the NICU staff could rest, recharge, and connect between shifts.
To make this possible, La-Z-Boy donated a complete furniture set from in-stock collections, delivering the pieces directly to CHEO for immediate use. The upgraded lounge includes:
- The Rowan Leather Reclining Sofa, offers supportive comfort for tired staff.
- The Rowan Leather Rocker Recliner, provides a soothing place to unwind.
- A Hammary Chairside Table from the Jefferson Collection, perfect for keeping essentials close by.
- A Canadel Dining Set from the Gourmet Collection, creates a welcoming spot to share meals.
This thoughtful combination of furniture transformed the space into a warm, comfortable retreat.
“The NICU can be stressful at times, leaving us little opportunity to rest,” says a member of the nursing team. “Our lounge is now a haven away from the bedside, a place to decompress and gather our thoughts. The old furniture was broken and full of holes, but now it’s beautiful and comfortable again. We’re truly grateful to La-Z-Boy for making such a difference.”
Weeks after delivery, the new furniture remained the talk of the unit. For the staff, it was more than just new seating. It was a reminder that their hard work and dedication were seen and appreciated by the community they serve.
What's Next?
At La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston, we were honoured to contribute to the well-being of CHEO’s NICU staff. Their dedication to caring for newborns and families inspires us all, and this project served as a small way to give back.
If you would like to support CHEO and its incredible medical team, consider making a donation or starting a fundraising initiative of your own. Visit the CHEO Foundation Donation Page to learn how you can help.
In company with the NICU team, everyone deserves comfort. If you are looking to bring warmth and style into your own home, we invite you to visit one of our La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston showrooms or book an appointment online.
We also offer virtual appointments, so you can shop from the comfort of your home. To see more design stories similar to this, take a look at our Design Stories Page.
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