“We saw the plight of parents in the NICU at the hospital where our daughter gave birth,” recalled Joel. “There were limited visiting hours, even for parents. There was no place to sit or stand. And there was no privacy for the family.”

After Emmersen’s 10-day stay in the NICU, the Kimbroughs knew what they wanted to do: give the parents of seriously ill infants an opportunity to have privacy, especially those families with the most critically ill babies.

When they were asked to support Le Bonheur Children’s by making a gift to the capital campaign to build the new hospital, there was no question as to how they would specify their contribution be used. After reviewing the plans for the new hospital’s planned 60-bed NICU, the couple requested that their donation fund fi ve suites in the future neonatal facility. Le Bonheur’s current NICU has rooms for only 15 infants.

“People don’t understand the far-reaching impact of the contribution the Kimbroughs have made,” said Becky Sartini, clinical director of Le Bonheur’s NICU. “Their gift of five NICU suites in the new hospital will impact hundreds of infants who will ever need the services of the highest level of neonatal intensive care in the Mid-South.”

As the parents of children who were always healthy, Joel and Wanda know how lucky they have been. “We endured what most parents of a son and daughter go through,” said Joel. “There were trips to the Emergency Department and after-hour calls to physicians, but we never had to stay overnight.”

As a donor, Joel often has the opportunity to encourage others to make a gift to Le Bonheur’s new hospital.

“I ask them if they understand what Le Bonheur means to the children and families of our community,” he said. “It might not be my child, but it could be my next door neighbor’s child. What Wanda and I are doing is making a place for everyone’s child. We are fortunate to be able to give back something and this is a good way to do it.”

The couple moved to Memphis almost 28 years ago, when Joel began his career with Ernst and Young. Le Bonheur was one of his clients, and he developed many close, personal friendships with Le Bonheur’s hospital administrative staff. He joined Southern Health System, part of the Le Bonheur family, in 1989, which later became Accredo Health, Inc.

“I walked the halls of Le Bonheur for many years, and I know they try to do it right and always put the patient first,” Joel said. “We respect that Le Bonheur takes every child who walks through the doors, regardless of race, creed or their ability to pay. Le Bonheur gives these children a place to stay and to receive care. All anyone has to do is walk through the hospital one time, look into their eyes and listen to their stories. You can’t leave without becoming involved.”

Growing up in rural Alabama, where good health care is scarce, the Kimbroughs realize how important it is for a community to have a children’s hospital with cutting-edge technology. With the birth of their second grandchild, Clara Kate, two weeks before Christmas, and knowing that the new Le Bonheur Children’s will be a state-of-the-art pediatric medical center became an even greater reason to support Le Bonheur.

“People don’t know that Le Bonheur has the leading pediatric neuroscience center in the country,” Joel noted. “We have a lot to be proud of here. Le Bonheur is a real asset to Memphis.”

“Building a new Le Bonheur is just something that needs to be done,” Joel continued. “Th e legacy of the capital campaign is for Emmersen and her children. Somewhere along the way Wanda and I can say we did something good, and we’re very proud to be a part of the new Le Bonheur in this way.”

To support the NICU through a gift to the capital campaign, please contact the Le Bonheur Foundation at (901)287-4430.