Normal Life, Typical Boys There was a time when life was anything but. Gail and Jeff Duncan cherish day-to-day moments with twins Garrett and Gunner knowing that it took high-tech science to get them there. Gail Duncan remembers the procedure that saved her babies as something out of a sci-fi movie, with a parade of doctors in white lab coats and a laser aimed at her from across the room. While the lead-up felt otherworldly, the ending to the story is entirely and beautifully human: two precious babies who are now busy, healthy little boys. Regional One Health’s highly-specialized Maternal Fetal Medicine program, the region’s only one of its kind, helped give Gail and husband Jeff that happy outcome. “It was an incredible experience. I truly believe we were meant to be in Memphis and to come across their group,” she said. “They’re fantastic. I can’t say enough about them.” Gail and Jeff were moving to Memphis from Manchester, Tennessee, when she learned she was expecting identical twins, meaning she’d need close monitoring. Research led her to Giancarlo Mari, MD, FACOG, medical director of Regional One Health’s High-Risk Obstetrics Program. “At my first appointment, they did a very thorough ultrasound,” said Gail, who was 21 weeks along at the time. “I remember very clearly that after the lady did the ultrasound, she kind of disappeared for a little while. Dr. Mari came in and started looking. I knew something was up.” regionalonehealth.org/foundation/change-a-life-donate-today/ 25
28 Publizr Home