“Absolute honour” for neonatal champion

Miracles Baby co-founder Kylie Pussell said it was an “absolute honour to be awarded an Order of Australia Medal” for her service to community health, particularly through neonatal support.

 “Making positive change and impact for all lives impacted by a premature or sick birth in the neonatal community is a privilege and to be acknowledged for this warms my heart and makes me very proud,” Ms Pussell from Harrington Park said. 

“As a result of my own personal experiences, my heartbreak and joy, to navigating parenting in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and beyond, I am extremely passionate in helping other families through this traumatic time and helping our babies and families thrive.”

She describes herself as “mum to three surviving miracle babies”.

Ms Pussell suffered a miscarriage, losing her twins 16 weeks into her pregnancy. She would have another pregnancy giving birth to her daughter Madeline at 30 weeks – it was when Ms Pussell was diagnosed with cervical incompetence. It is a condition that causes premature birth or the loss of a healthy pregnancy. Her baby daughter was cared for in Liverpool Hospital’s NICU for six weeks.

Two years later, following a further miscarriage, Ms Pussell delivered twins at just 25 weeks. Both were resuscitated at birth and cared for by the NICU. Her son, Marcus, passed away due to complications from his extreme prematurity.

Her daughter Scarlet required ventilation and surgery – she was also cared for in the NICU at Liverpool and Westmead Children’s Hospital.

Ms Pussell went on to have another child. Her son Liam was born at 38 weeks through planned c-section.

The committed advocate’s list of accomplishments also include:

Miracle Babies Foundation, Chief Executive Officer, since 2017; Secretary, 2009-2017; Co-Founder, 2005;

GLANCE: Global Alliance for Newborn Care, Member, Chair Committee, since 2019, Foundation Committee Member, since 2017, Founding Committee Member, 2019;

Working Group Member, ICHOM Preterm and Hospitalized Neonates Standard Set, 2019- 2020;

Former Member, Perinatal Palliative Care Special Interest Group, Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand.

She is also a Life Member, coach and former president, Camden RSL Netball Club, since 2011.