In the quiet hum of the NICU at FMOL Health | Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, miracles happen every day. Tiny hands grasp fingers, soft cries fill the air, and a dedicated team of caregivers works tirelessly to give these fragile lives the best possible start.
Central to this compassionate care is a unique mother-daughter duo. Amy Zeringue, MD, neonatologist and NICU medical director, works alongside her mother, Effie Waguespack, a retired teacher-turned-NICU cuddler.
A shining example of how we do all things with great love across FMOL Health, Dr. Zeringue and Effie share how deep compassion and unwavering commitment can transform the tiniest lives. Together, they bring a deeply personal touch to the high-tech world of neonatal medicine.
A Shared Calling in the NICU
Effie, a retired first-grade teacher, never imagined she’d one day work alongside her daughter in a hospital setting. But when Effie and her husband moved to Lafayette to be closer to their daughter’s family, Dr. Zeringue mentioned the NICU cuddler program. Effie knew it was the perfect fit for her nurturing spirit.
“I’ve always loved kids and babies,” Effie says. “I started volunteering when the program began in 2017, and I’ve been here ever since, except for the year we had to pause during COVID.”
For Dr. Zeringue, having her mom in the unit is both fun and deeply meaningful.
“I never thought I’d work with my mom,” Dr. Zeringue laughs. “But it’s really special to have her here, seeing my world and being part of it. These babies need love and attention, and cuddlers like my mom provide that extra layer of care.”
The Vital Role of NICU Cuddlers
As a volunteer cuddler, Effie provides the human touch that is essential to a premature or critically ill baby’s development. Whether she is holding a fussy infant, reading a book or simply offering a soothing presence, she helps fill the gaps when parents need to step away or care for other children at home.
“Sometimes I’ll hold the same baby for an hour and a half,” Effie says. “It’s one of the most important things we can do. Talk to them, read to them and give them love.”
However, this specialized care is always provided with the utmost respect for the family’s wishes. Every interaction is carefully coordinated, and volunteers only hold babies with explicit parental consent. This ensures families remain in complete control of their child’s care journey while still benefiting from the extra support the cuddlers provide.
The program is an integral part of the healing environment at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
“Cuddlers bring joy to our day and remind us of the good, even when things are hard,” Dr. Zeringue explains. “They help reinforce positive touch and love, which is so important for these babies’ development. Our NICU is not just about medical care. It’s also about creating a nurturing environment.”
Effie’s contributions even go beyond cuddling. Recognizing a unique need in the unit, she uses her sewing skills to craft gowns and diaper covers for the babies, ensuring patients of all sizes have clothes that fit.
“She makes larger shirts for the bigger babies, which we didn’t have before,” Dr. Zeringue says proudly.
Inspired to a Career in Neonatology
Dr. Zeringue’s path to neonatology began in the small town of Lutcher, Louisiana. Growing up between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, her love for science and fascination with human development took root early on.
“I’ve always been amazed by how a single cell becomes a walking, talking, emotional being,” she says.
After completing her medical training at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, where she later finished a pediatric internship, residency and a neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship, she found her calling. Neonatology allows her to care for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients, some born as early as 22 weeks.
“I love taking care of these babies, especially those with unique developmental challenges,” Dr. Zeringue says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see them grow and thrive, even after the most difficult starts.”
Her passion for lifelong learning, an essential value instilled by her parents, now fuels her work as a mentor to the pediatric residents who rotate through the hospital.
“My parents always told me to find something I love and to be a lifelong learner,” she notes. “That’s the same advice I give to my daughters and the residents I teach.”
A NICU Designed for Families
That commitment to holistic, compassionate care extends to the physical environment of the hospital itself. The Level III Surgical NICU at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital recently underwent a transformative expansion as part of the hospital’s $100 million Advancing Acadiana initiative.
The addition of 19 private family suites, including two specifically designed for twins, elevates the level of care and comfort available to families in the region. The expansion increases the NICU’s capacity to 60 beds and ensures that families can stay close to their babies during critical moments.
“These private suites allow parents to stay overnight and remain with their baby 24/7, something no other NICU in Southwest Louisiana offers,” Dr. Zeringue explains. “It’s about creating an environment where families feel supported and babies receive the highest level of care.”
Each suite is thoughtfully designed with family-centered care in mind. The rooms feature dedicated sleeping space, a recliner for skin-to-skin bonding, a private bathroom, a bottle warmer and state-of-the-art monitoring technology. It is a space built to foster healing, privacy and connection.
Commitment to Healing and Community
The NICU at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital is more than just a place of advanced medical intervention. It is a true community of care. From the expert medical team to the dedicated volunteer cuddlers, everyone plays a role in supporting these tiny patients and their families.
As Dr. Zeringue reflects on her work, she points to the continuum of care that makes her specialty so special.
“One of the beautiful things about neonatology is that we care for these babies from their sickest moments until they’re ready to go home,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey.”
For Effie, the reward remains in the simple, quiet act of holding a baby who needs comfort.
“It’s a privilege to be here,” Effie says. “These babies may be small, but they have so much love to give. And they remind us of what really matters.”
Together, Dr. Zeringue and her mother showcase a shared commitment to the tiniest members of the community, proving that clinical excellence and genuine compassion always go hand in hand.
