UIHC Doctors Save Premature Baby

By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

By Steve Nicoles

IOWA CITY - Tuesday morning's wicked weather almost cost a newborn baby her life. When an ambulance and emergency helicopter could not rescue the baby, two university doctors did.

The way the roads looked this morning, not many people wanted to travel south. Ice was all around the 47 miles from Iowa City to Mount Pleasant. But when the call came, two doctors took the risk. Dr. Michael Acarregui said, “I got a call from my wife who was going into work and said it wasn't that bad."

Most people do not like facing the world on a day like this. But one baby dared to enter it. And doctors John Dagle and Michael Acarregui drove to Mount Pleasant to save her. Dr. Acarregui said, “Without a ventilator she would likely have died."

The doctors were in good spirits. Very little Dorotea will probably be OK. More than 90-percent of babies born at University Hospitals after just 26 weeks survive. And this baby, whose name means 'Gift from God,' got to Iowa City within hours of her surprise birth.

The miracle of life continues for the family. Dorotea's parents arrived in Iowa City to see their daughter and thank the doctors who did what emergency crews could not.

The Iowa City doctors were able to get a breathing tube into Dorotea right away. Then they manually squeezed a handbag to help the baby breathe during the trip from Mount Pleasant.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com

Friday, Dec 14 at 2:03 PM anonymous wrote ...

SUCH a wonderful story...too bad it was cut WAY too short. CBS covered with an in depth article, the kind of description which this event deserved...

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Thursday, Dec 13 at 11:14 AM Felisto & Laura-Friends of parents wrote ...

Our thoughts and prayes are with Lil Dorotea and her wonderful family. A huge thank you to the doctors for caring so much. Dorotea is a true blessing from GOD. Janel, Gabor and Tori congrats on your latest arrival. We love you and God Bless!!!

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 10:17 PM Terry wrote ...

I've been an employee at UIHC for 25 years. Stories like this one make me proud to be a part of the UIHC team! These doctors did an awesome job - and there are plenty of others who are caring and committed but who never get public recognition.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 5:37 PM Judy wrote ...

UIHC is tops in my book!!! Back in 1971 they delivered my premature baby. She weighed 3lbs 8ozs. I have never seen so many Drs. in one room there was a team of 20 people. My many thanks to them for the wonderful care they give.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 5:03 PM UIHC Heros wrote ...

what a great team, i have had some experience with the nicu team and noticed what a great job Ralph H. has done and will continue to do in the future. Audra W.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 4:36 PM Freddy Johnson wrote ...

Come on, too icy for the ambulance?? Worthless. Just like firefighters. "We'll let it burn itself out, its too hot to fight." Um your a fire fighter, not a fire watcher. People are too lazy in this day and age. No respect if you don't earn it!

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 3:31 PM Beverly wrote ...

And all of God's children should say, "WOW!!" And God will bless these men. What a wonderful thing to do! Thank you, and thank you, and thank you!

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 2:16 PM Brandy Dorotea's Aunt wrote ...

True angels for sure! They saved the day!!!! Thank you so much for all that you did to save lil' Dorotea! She's a true gift from God and you are angels that made it possible. Prayers and love to Dorotea! Hugs and kudos to the Docs!

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 12:21 PM missy wrote ...

keep fighting miracle baby! good luck also to mom and dad

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 11:57 AM Lisa wrote ...

WAY TO GO DOCS,and CONGRATS TO MOM AND DAD! My twins were premies, my prayers are with you!

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 11:41 AM Liz wrote ...

All to often we forget that doctors play a crucial role saving lives because often times we only see the nurses! As we embark on the holiday season remember everyone plays a critical role in the hospital. No matter the title of the individuals.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 11:26 AM Kathy B wrote ...

Those of us who know and work with Dr. Acarregui were not at all surprised by his actions to assist the physicians at Henry County Health Center. We need more humanitarians like him in Medicine.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 10:43 AM WoW wrote ...

Way to go HCHC! The team that took care of her is the greatest. Everyone involved needs to be pround of the job you do. Especially those medics who made it happen.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 10:18 AM Ambulance wrote ...

Oh come on, where was the ambulance??? They don't mind driving fast when the roads are clear, but throw on a bit of ice and its too scary for them???? Thats lame! Get a desk job if the ice scares you then. I drive in ice all the time...

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 9:54 AM Eileen wrote ...

The Uof I physicians and ALL the involved staff at Henry County Health Center demonstrate what compassion and caring teamwork is all about. It makes me proud to be part of the medical profession and a part of the HCHC team.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 9:30 AM Tiffany (Glass) Norris wrote ...

Congrats to the parents! What a welcome little gift. And thank god there are doctors out there like you two!

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 9:22 AM Tonya wrote ...

This is what being a doctor truly is. Not the money, but saving the life of an innocent.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 9:20 AM Amy wrote ...

Now that's the kind of story we like to hear about. I have also had experience with the doctor's at UIHC PICU and they are truly wonderful and caring. God speed to little Dorotea.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 8:29 AM A Paramedic's Wife wrote ...

Thank you to the wonderful doctors at the U that sacrificed for the baby. It saddens me that there is no mention of Henry County Health Center in the article. These brave men and women are a BIG part of why that little one made it safely to the U!!!

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 7:55 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The neonatal docs at the UIHC are the best. I learned this when my son spent 12 days in the NICU. Thank you and bless you doctors.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 6:35 AM justagurl wrote ...

Kudos to the docs, but once again the medics who are on the streets day in and day out are barely being mentioned in this story across the board. Way to go Henry County!

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 6:27 AM Grandparents of Dorotea wrote ...

We cannot thank Dr.Acarregui and Dr.Dagle enough for their bravery. They risked their lives driving in extremely icey conditions, an hour away, just to save a pre-mature baby in distress. We also thank others involved in saving her. Pray for her.

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 6:26 AM MtPEMSstudent wrote ...

Hey the drs. did a great job. Congrats to the parents.Lets give some pats on the back to HCHC paramedics for doing their part and also getting her there safely

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 5:49 AM Susan wrote ...

The story brings tears of joy! Way to go!

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Wednesday, Dec 12 at 2:53 AM Someone who cares wrote ...

This is truely an amazing story. These doctors are angels. Good luck to the family and the doctors who risked their sfety to save the life of someone who would of never had a chance

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 10:28 PM Tom her uncle in WI. wrote ...

I want to thank them for their sacrifice and the risk they took to help . Thank you

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 10:08 PM Tess wrote ...

What an amazing story, these two doctors are so dedicated. Hats off to you and May God Bless you tenfolds. Congrats to the Family of the newborn little baby.

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 9:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...

These doctors are truly angels!!

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 9:23 PM amy wrote ...

What a glorious story! God provided when man thought impossible...he sent to qualified angels!

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 9:20 PM 2AMEDIC wrote ...

Fantastic that these doctors were willing to do this. I don't know why UIHC's ground ambulance couldn't preform the transport. Not going by helicopter is understandable, but if the Drs and Henry Co. Ambulance could drive, why not Mobile Care?

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 9:16 PM Destyn wrote ...

no one may know this but Ralph Hein was the guy who hooked up the baby to the ventilater! Way to go Ralph!

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 9:08 PM Susie wrote ...

I used to work with these 2 docs. Their expertise and dedication amazed me on a daily basis. It was no surprise to hear they had ventured out in the ice storm to save this tiny miracle. It's what being a part of the UIHC NICU family is all about.

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 8:56 PM Best Wishes wrote ...

Happy Birthday to Dorotea and Congratulations to her parents!

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 8:55 PM Brooke wrote ...

That is amazing. I wish little Dorotea, family, and friends all the best. You will be in my thoughts.

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 8:16 PM thanks wrote ...

Even though you have "filtered" my comments or maybe just blocked my IP address... Thanks for fixing the spelling error I submitted. :-)

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 8:01 PM nursing student wrote ...

this makes me proud to be a part of health care delivery in the future!

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 7:40 PM Barbara wrote ...

Now that's what real doctors do! So many stay in the office and just collect your money, but these two did what they were supposed to do. They are exceptional guys and should be very proud of what they did! Way to go!!!!

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 7:15 PM tonyia wrote ...

my daughter was born at uofi seven weeks early after i was pre-eclamptic. the doctors were all wonderful. and as this family will find out so are the nurses. my daughter is a healthy five year old now. we still see the nurses around and say hello

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 7:06 PM Carmen wrote ...

I know the parents of this baby girl. She is an angel from heaven and they are very lucky to have her. The doctors are her guardian angels....I wish the parents and the baby nothing but the best.

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 7:06 PM JenS wrote ...

I'm not surprised by this. The whole staff of the UIHC NICU is just wonderful! Way to go Drs. Dagle and Accaregui!

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 6:49 PM hello wrote ...

What's a "Preemature Baby"? It's too bad that Steve Nicoles wasn't "preescreened" before employment with KCRG.

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 6:30 PM Show you care wrote ...

These two doctors truly deserve the praises of KCRG and the Show You Care Program.

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 6:00 PM cr mother wrote ...

That little girl will have a very special story to tell about her birth when she grows up and I would hope that the family keeps in touch with the doctor's. They are truely a blessing to the field of medicine!!

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 5:57 PM sherryt wrote ...

thats was awsome.

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 5:55 PM Grandpa of child lukemia survivor wrote ...

I've had past experiences with the doctors at UIHC. They are not only talented doctors - they care. This does not suprise me at all. Iowa is blessed by the caliber of doctors we have at UIHC.

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Tuesday, Dec 11 at 5:48 PM Carol wrote ...

These 2 physicians show what CARING means! Doctors need alot more credit today this shows their heart and compassion. Great Job!

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