Third Time’s a Charm at NYG

Not long ago, we introduced you to Dong Nyeok (Neo), a proud dad and De Mello Coffee Roastery team member whose growing family had already become closely connected to North York General.

Back in 2020, Neo had just arrived in Canada from South Korea when he and his wife welcomed their first child at NYG during the early days of the pandemic. Since then, the hospital has become an important part of their family story — welcoming not one, not two, but now three babies.

Only two weeks ago, Neo and his wife returned to the Birthing Centre to welcome their newest addition.

“We actually passed the due date by a week,” Neo laughs. “I kept telling everyone at De Mello goodbye because I thought it would happen any day — but the baby held off.”

When labour finally began, it happened during a major snowstorm.

“Getting to the hospital was a little dicey,” he says. “But once we arrived, we knew we were in good hands.”

The couple arrived around 1 a.m., and by 6 a.m., baby Juha had made his entrance into the world.

Third Time’s a Charm at NYG

Not long ago, we introduced you to Dong Nyeok (Neo), a proud dad and De Mello Coffee Roastery team member whose growing family had already become closely connected to North York General.

Only two weeks ago, Neo and his wife returned to the Birthing Centre to welcome their newest addition.

“We actually passed the due date by a week,” Neo laughs. “I kept telling everyone at De Mello goodbye because I thought it would happen any day — but the baby held off.”

When labour finally began, it happened during a major snowstorm.

“Getting to the hospital was a little dicey,” he says. “But once we arrived, we knew we were in good hands.”

The couple arrived around 1 a.m., and by 6 a.m., baby Juha had made his entrance into the world.

Seeing the New Birthing Suites

This birth also gave Neo a chance to see something new at NYG.

When their second child was born, the family stayed in one of the Birthing Centre’s older suites. This time, they were welcomed into one of the newly revitalized rooms, part of the NYG’s major donor-funded transformation of the Birthing Centre.

“When I came in I remember thinking it smelled so fresh and looked quite different,” he says. “I remember the older wood panels and closets from before, and now it looked so new. Even the machines felt fresher, and the bathroom. It was really noticeable.”

He says the extra space made a real difference.

“Even at time when we had a number of people in the room it still felt very comfortable.”

Small moments of care stood out as well.

“My wife wanted some pain medication, and the nurse said she didn’t want to give it on an empty stomach,” Neo recalls. “So she went and found sandwiches for her first. That felt very above and beyond.”

BeforeAfter

Coffee That Gives Back

For Neo, NYG has become more than just the place his children were born.

“My wife was born here, and now all three of our kids too,” he says. “This is our hospital.”

That connection extends beyond his family. Through NYG’s partnership with De Mello Coffee, every bag of Healing Grounds coffee sold helps give back to the hospital.

Neo says it’s been exciting to watch the coffee gain momentum.

“In the last year especially, more and more people are picking it up,” he says. “It’s really nice to see Healing Grounds becoming such a popular coffee, because every bag means support going back to the hospital.”

“It’s very special to produce something that ends up helping the same people who helped my family.”

Nearly Across the Finish Line

Today, the Birthing Centre Revitalization is nearly complete. And while Neo and his family experienced one of the newly transformed suites, work is still underway to ensure this vital project comes to life.

Right now, thanks to FDC Foundation, donations are being matched dollar-for-dollar for a limited time — helping bring the project across the finish line.

For families like Neo’s, the impact is already clear.

“Everyone at NYG is amazing,” he says. “It’s a hospital for everyone.”