A Legacy That Changed Everything
How the Holtzman Twins inspired a new era of neonatal care at PeaceHealth Southwest
In the heart of Vancouver, Washington, a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has changed thousands of lives. Known as the Holtzman Twins NICU at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, this state-of-the-art facility has become a beacon of hope for families with premature and critically ill newborns.
The story of the Holtzman Twins begins on a cold November day in 1928, in rural New Jersey, when a young couple found themselves in crisis. The mother had gone into labor far too early. In desperation, they called the phone operator, who connected them to a local physician named Dr. Richardson. Given the severity of the situation, Dr. Richardson rushed to their home expecting to offer comfort to the anxious couple. The two baby girls Roslyn “Lynne” and Sara “Sue” were tiny, born around 28 weeks, and together weighing just four and a half pounds. At that time, the odds of survival for babies born two months premature were heartbreakingly slim. But their parents, with the daily care of Dr. Richardson, refused to give up.
Despite all odds, the Holtzman Twins survived!
Their survival was nothing less than a miracle. Lynne became a nurse; Sue built a career in public relations, and together they raised families whose legacy continues today. Lynne’s son, David Nierenberg, became a Yale-educated hedge fund manager and philanthropist. And he will never forget the story of his mother’s birth. The story that became his guiding star!
In 2005, on Lynne’s and Sue’s 77th birthday, the Holtzman Twins NICU officially opened, the result of David’s partnership with PeaceHealth.
It was David’s tribute to the past and a promise to the future. Philanthropy truly transformed neonatal care by giving vulnerable babies an environment they needed to grow stronger. Because of the generosity of donors like David, and the vision shared by PeaceHealth’s staff, today the NICU can care for babies born as early as 24 weeks. Since opening, more than 4,500 babies have received care in this philanthropy-supported space.
Melanie Fain, current Southwest Medical Foundation board member and former Holtzman Twins NICU Nurse Manager, who led the NICU through its transformation, kept a mantra close to her heart. “My boss is a two-pound baby,” she said. That baby gave her the courage to fight for better staffing, better equipment and better care. “When things got hard, I’d picture that baby. That’s who I was working for.”
The Holtzman Twins NICU reunion: A full circle moment
In 2025, when the Holtzman Twins NICU hosted a reunion celebrating 20 years of care, more than 250 people came for the celebration. Families returned with children who had once been tiny, fragile newborns in incubators. Now toddlers to young adults, they raced across the room with painted faces and sticky fingers, while others arrived behind the wheel of their own cars or spoke excitedly about beginning post-secondary education. For the nurses and doctors who had cared for them, it was a full-circle moment. To date, more than 1000 donors have given generously to NICU, supporting its tremendous work.
The reunion was living proof of what philanthropy and NICU has made possible. It is a reminder that when people care deeply enough to take action, communities grow stronger. The Holtzman Twins NICU gave families moments of joy they once doubted they would ever hold. These moments of hope and healing are made possible by donors whose generosity lights the way and a community that stands firmly with PeaceHealth. We are deeply grateful for your partnership!
About PeaceHealth Foundations: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a non-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Since 1890, PeaceHealth has been guided by a Mission of healing and compassion. Today, PeaceHealth Foundations carry forward that legacy — powered by philanthropy and grounded in community. As the philanthropic partner to PeaceHealth’s nine medical centers and more than 160 clinics, we help expand access, advance technology and empower caregivers to provide exceptional and compassionate care. Every gift ensures that outstanding care continues to reach families, friends and neighbors throughout the Northwest. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Discover the impact of philanthropy at peacehealth.org/foundation.
