Dave Whitlow, 73, has spent nearly eight years as a volunteer cuddler in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU in Richmond, Virginia, comfort premature babies every Tuesday and Thursday. The retired local government manager, who logged more than four decades in public service before starting this role in the summer of 2018, arrives around 8:30 a.m., gowns up with gloves and a protective shield, and checks in with nurses before holding five to six infants per shift, sometimes up to eight, including those weighing under 2 pounds and requiring ventilators or feeding tubes. Before leaving each baby, he whispers the same six words: grow strong, grow smart, grow kind. Whitlow has held and comforted more than 500 babies since he began and calls the volunteer position the best gig he has ever had.
Whitlow, a father of two and grandfather of three, turned to hospital volunteering after trying other community roles, such as walking dogs at an animal shelter and helping at a food bank, because he wanted deeper impact. The hospital requires all NICU cuddlers to complete background checks, health screenings, and specialized training before they can hold infants. He leaves his phone outside the unit and focuses entirely on the babies, talking to them, holding their tiny hands, stroking their foreheads, and monitoring equipment for any needs. This consistent human touch and soothing presence complements medical care, especially when parents cannot stay full time. Staff often note how he calms even the fussiest infants, allowing nurses to focus on critical tasks. Research shows that volunteer cuddling may reduce length of hospital stay for infants and can lower stress markers in preterm babies, according to a study published in the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing.
The program exists because medical evidence shows that gentle holding, vocal soothing, and skin-to-skin-like contact help premature babies regulate heart rates, improve feeding, gain weight, and potentially shorten their hospital stays. Whitlow provides that steady presence for hundreds of families facing uncertainty in the NICU environment. His dedication stems from a personal desire to support the next generation and offer the kind of care he values for all people. Over eight years, he has become an integral part of the care team, earning appreciation from nurses and parents alike. Similar volunteer cuddler opportunities operate at many children’s hospitals nationwide, though they often maintain wait lists due to the rewarding yet demanding nature of the work. Intermountain Health, which runs a comparable cuddler program, reports that consistent human contact can measurably help premature infants grow stronger.
Whitlow’s simple ritual and reliable presence illustrate how individual commitment can make a lasting difference in healthcare settings driven by advanced technology. Research also suggests that volunteering itself offers mental health benefits for retirees, including reduced depression risk and increased dopamine release, creating a mutual exchange of healing between caregiver and infant. His story encourages others to explore volunteer roles that match their skills and life stage, especially in pediatric care. For details on the hospital’s NICU and volunteer programs, visit the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU official site. More on Whitlow’s story is available through local Richmond coverage from WTVR.
