New Beginnings Birth Center Nursery Named in Honor of Isaac Scot Hemmestad

  • June 30, 2022

The Hemmestad family recently gathered with Brookings Health System representatives to dedicate New Beginnings Birth Center’s nursery in honor of Isaac Scot Hemmestad. The Isaac Scot Nursery recognizes the funds given to Brookings Health System Foundation by Team Isaac. Pictured from left to right are Obstetrics Director Michelle Sand, RN; Foundation Director Sara Schneider, Team Isaac Co-Founders Jason and Amber Hemmestad and CEO Jason Merkley.
The Hemmestad family recently gathered with Brookings Health System representatives to dedicate New Beginnings Birth Center’s nursery in honor of Isaac Scot Hemmestad. The Isaac Scot Nursery recognizes the funds given to Brookings Health System Foundation by Team Isaac. Pictured from left to right are Obstetrics Director Michelle Sand, RN; Foundation Director Sara Schneider, Team Isaac Co-Founders Jason and Amber Hemmestad and CEO Jason Merkley.

On June 28 representatives from Brookings Health System and Team Isaac gathered to dedicate New Beginnings Birth Center’s nursery in honor of Isaac Scot Hemmestad, the son of Team Isaac founders Jason and Amber Hemmestad. The Isaac Scot Nursery recognizes the funds given to Brookings Health System Foundation by Team Isaac.

“We are grateful to the Hemmestad family and all that Team Isaac does within our community to make a positive impact for babies and their families,” said Foundation Director Sara Schneider. “Isaac touched so many lives and continues to do so through Team Isaac.”

The nursery at New Beginnings Birth Center was included in the 2018 Brookings Hospital expansion and renovation project. Now as the Isaac Scot Nursery, it will continue to provide resources for newborns who need special monitoring and care as well as provide a space for team members to perform other routine medical procedures.

Isaac was born at Brookings Hospital 15 years ago on June 28. He passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) on Feb. 15, 2008, at seven and a half months old. The Hemmestads founded Team Isaac in memory of their baby.

Team Isaac’s mission is to provide awareness of SIDS and to help local babies reach their first steps. To date, over 3,500 Safe to Sleep gift packs funded by Team Isaac have been distributed to babies born at New Beginnings Birth Center. Each gift pack contains a HALO SleepSack swaddle and Charlie’s Kids Sleep Baby Safe and Snug board book. It also includes educational information to encourage parents to put their baby safely to sleep to prevent SIDS.

Individuals who would like to give to the Team Isaac Fund and help continue Isaac Scot’s legacy may do so at brookingshealth.org/Donate. For more information about philanthropic opportunities with Brookings Health System Foundation, please contact Foundation Director Sara Schneider at (605) 696-8855 or foundation@brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System Foundation

The mission of Brookings Health System Foundation is “Inspiring people to support Brookings Health System through philanthropy, recognizing the vital role of local healthcare in sustaining quality of life in our community.” Gifts to the Foundation support charity health care for those less fortunate, health and wellness education, facility, equipment, and technology upgrades and other needs as they arise at Brookings Health System. For more information about Brookings Health System Foundation or how you may contribute, please contact Foundation Director Sara Schneider at (605) 696-8855 or foundation@brookingshealth.org.