Senior Volunteer Brings Comfort to Newborns at Richmond Hospital
July 20, 2026
Amidst the beeping of monitors and sterile hospital surroundings, an unsung hero walks into the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Dave Whitlow, a 73-year-old retired government manager, dedicates his time two days a week to providing solace through a simple yet powerful gesture: cuddling fragile newborns.
Dave Whitlow / WTVR Richmond
For eight years, Whitlow has committed his Tuesdays and Thursdays to holding premature and critically ill infants. “It’s the best gig I’ve ever had. It just feels right,” Whitlow shared, emphasizing the fulfillment he finds in his volunteer work.
On an average day, Whitlow cradles five to six babies, occasionally attending to up to eight infants, some weighing under two pounds. Each session starts with Whitlow donning a gown and gloves, and ensuring his phone is left outside the unit to minimize distractions.
“I pretty much just want to be with them,” he said.
Though his role is rooted in compassion, Whitlow approaches it with meticulous attention to detail. Before picking up any infant, he consults with the nursing staff to gather insights on the baby’s health status and specific care requirements. “I ask the nurse, ‘Tell me. Tell me what this child is receiving. What kind of treatment? Is there anything special I need to know about it,'” he explained.
Once an infant is nestled in his arms, Whitlow diligently monitors their vital signs. “I watch the monitors first to see whether positionally there’s anything to do to improve,” he said. “His sats are at 100%, so that’s what we’re looking for.”
With over 40 years of experience in local government and a personal life enriched by two children and three grandchildren, Whitlow finds the NICU to be a sanctuary where the healing process transcends medical interventions. “The support and spiritual needs of the family and the staff, and so it all kind of gets tied together here,” he reflected.
His tender routine concludes with a heartfelt wish whispered to each baby before he returns them to their cribs:
“Grow strong, grow smart, grow kind.”
For Whitlow, these words encapsulate his aspirations for every child he comforts. “It’s important to me to think that this is what I want from people in general,” Whitlow expressed.
What initially started as a volunteering opportunity has evolved into an integral part of his life. After years of nurturing babies during some of their most vulnerable moments, Whitlow regards the NICU community as an unexpected yet cherished family he cannot envision leaving.
