Tonight’s Meet a Mom, Deborah Wood, is a Greenwich single mom of twin teenagers who will be seniors at GHS and a registered pediatric neonatal nurse practicing at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital.
And the best thing is – she is now teaching Private CPR Courses!! She now offers private sessions with parents and families in their own home, giving them peace of mind that they will be able to manage in an emergency.
From her first job out of nursing school was in the pediatric ICU at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City to becoming a neonatal ICU nurse at Greenwich Hospital, Deborah is now a pediatric RN specializing in newborns with GI issues, feeding difficulties, and infants previously in the NICU.
And she knows that in the first few minutes of an emergency, knowing CPR can often be the difference between life and death, and can teach you. Keep reading to learn all about her!
Can you please tell us a bit about yourself personally? Names/ages of kids, etc.?
I’m a single mom living in Greenwich, CT and a registered pediatric neonatal nurse practicing at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital. I have 17-year-old twins–Mollie and Hadden–who will be seniors at Greenwich High School in the fall.
Where do you live in Greenwich? How long have you lived here, and what do you love about your neighborhood?
I lived all over Greenwich, but currently live in Glenville. I love that I live two miles from my job, and that I know all the small town business owners in Glenville. I like being close to where my kids’ activities are, including Indian Harbor Yacht Club, where Mollie sails and the Greenwich YWCA where Hadden is on the Dolphins swim team.
Please tell us about your background and experience as a Nurse, particularly with children.
My first job out of nursing school was in the pediatric ICU at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. It was an intense job as a brand new RN, and I learned the core skills of nursing there. I was thrown into the fire, and after four years I left with experience and confidence that I was able to handle any emergency. Sometimes the kids were very sick –and I was originally on the night shift and operated with a lot of independence–that experience has made me who I am today. In 2002, I moved to Greenwich and became a neo natal ICU nurse at Greenwich Hospital. At that time, Greenwich was building its NICU and I was part of the push to create a higher level ICU. After 20 years, I moved to my current job, working in an outpatient setting. Now I’m a pediatric RN specializing in newborns with GI issues, feeding difficulties, and infants previously in the NICU.
Can you please share how you began teaching parents CPR courses?
I began teaching CPR when I worked in the NICU at Greenwich Hospital. It was a requirement that parents needed to learn Infant CPR before their babies were discharged. I was certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) to teach healthcare providers Basic Life Support (BLS). I’ve recently received a new certification from the AHA called Family & Friends CPR which teaches the basic adult, child and infant CPR skills, and what to do in the event of a choking incident. I now offer private sessions with parents and families in their own home, giving them peace of mind that they will be able to manage in an emergency.
What are the biggest reasons to learn CPR?
In the first few minutes of an emergency, knowing CPR can often be the difference between life and death. A new parent who knows the basics of CPR and how to manage choking incidents is far more prepared than one who does not have these skills.
Who should you include in your family in the CPR classes?
Any family members, including older siblings, babysitters, caretakers and grandparents are welcome and should be encouraged to learn CPR.
Tell us what we should expect if we signed up for a CPR Class with you.
I will come to your home with videos, mannequins to learn and practice on, and information cards you will keep. Each class is catered to a family’s preference. If they desire to learn adult CPR as well as children and infants, I am able to include that in the class. Basically, whatever a family wants to learn about lifesaving CPR and choking, I can teach them.
How can we schedule a CPR Class with you at our home?
Call or text me at 203-979-9316. I am available on weeknight evenings and weekends.
How do you find a balance with motherhood and working as a nurse? Any tips for the rest of the Moms out there?
It’s not easy! I have to be very organized, with good time management skills. I like to volunteer for my kids’ athletic teams so the days are very busy!
What do you like to do to relax/have fun?
I love any activities on the water and going to the beach. I love to walk around Tod’s Point. And I often visit my family on the eastern end of Long Island, where I grew up.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Having had twins, I am very aware how difficult and trying those first months of caring for a newborn can be. Knowing CPR and choking management can relieve a lot of that stress. I also work privately with families who want evening or overnight care for their infants. I specialize in infants previously in the NICU or have feeding difficulties.
We love to support local businesses. What are your fave places when you are in Greenwich to:
Grab coffee: Citarella
Workout: I have a Peloton and I walk/run at Tod’s Point.
Go out for ice cream: Gofer!
Go out to lunch: Citarella
Get your hair done: Christopher at Warren Tricomi. I’ve been going to him for 15 years!
Get your nails done: Cozy Nails on Greenwich Avenue.
Have fun as a family: Taking my kid to visit family and eating at Oaklands Restaurant and Marina on the water in Hampton Bays.
