Gisele was born prematurely with neonatal abstinence syndrome in July 2016. At 3 months old, Gisele became a ward of the state and was transferred to Franciscan Children’s for specialized care. The infant did not have any visitors for five months.
Ms. Smith, 45, said she initially gave up her hopes of being a mother when she learned her insurance would not cover the cost of in vitro fertilization. However, when she learned social workers were trying to place Gisele in foster care, Ms. Smith said she knew she wanted to be her foster mom.
She became Gisele’s foster parent in April 2017 and officially adopted her in October 2018.
“Since the moment I met her, there was something behind her striking blue eyes capturing my attention,” Ms. Smith told The Washington Post. “I felt that I needed to love this child and keep her safe.”
To view The Washington Post‘s full story, click here.
More articles on leadership and management:
Philadelphia hospital to lay off 175 employees amid financial troubles
Democrats request closer look at CMS administrator’s contract awards
House Democrats unveil healthcare bill: 8 things to know
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.