High school senior crafts hundreds of hearts for AdventHealth Winter Park NICU babies

When 17-year-old Brooke Kalmanson walked through the doors of AdventHealth Winter Park, she brought with her more than 700 handmade fabric hearts, each one sewn with care, love and purpose for the hospital’s tiniest patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The Trinity Preparatory School senior began sewing “scent hearts” as an eighth grader. Over the years, her passion for sewing and community service led her to create and donate more than 3,300 hearts.

“It takes about an hour to make five hearts,” Brooke said. “I started sewing in second grade, and it’s something I’ve always loved. Since I was a preemie baby myself, I wanted to do something to help other babies and their families get through that stressful time.”

Brooke was greeted by AdventHealth Winter Park CEO Sheila Rankin, chief medical officer Dr. Rodrigo Torres, chief nursing officer Erica Stevens, director of nursing Mary Datema-Ortiz, and Thomas Yochum, a member of AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division Board of Directors. Together, they toured the NICU and watched as Brooke delivered her handmade hearts to the unit’s nursing team.

Among those receiving the donation was Giselle Tse, senior nurse manager of the mother and baby unit, who said the hearts will serve an even greater purpose than anyone expected.

“When we admit premature babies to the NICU, one of our first steps is to protect their eyes from bright lights because they’re still developing,” Tse explained. “Brooke’s hearts are the perfect size and shape to gently cover their eyes. And beyond that, moms can use them for scent bonding by placing the heart on their skin so the baby can smell and feel comforted by their scent while in the NICU.”

Tse added that the thoughtful donation aligns beautifully with AdventHealth’s mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ.

“Knowing that someone in our community cares enough to make something that helps both the baby and the mom is an overwhelming expression of love,” she said. “It reminds families that they’re not alone and that our community is walking beside them during this special but sometimes difficult time.”

Moved by her generosity, Tse affectionately dubbed them “Brooke Hearts”, a name she and her team plan to carry forward as the donation continues to comfort families.

Brooke said hearing how her hearts will be used made the long hours of cutting, sewing and stitching all worth it.

“They’re a lot of work, but it’s exciting to know they’ll be appreciated and make a difference,” she said. “I was so fortunate to receive great care as a baby. This is just my small way of giving back.”