Montana family shares story of survival, gratitude for support of Intermountain St. Vincent caregivers
Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital
Billigns, Mont.
Photo courtesy of Intermountain Health
Zack Fievet’s life was forever altered in 2024 when a semi-trailer he was inspecting suddenly released its brakes and ran over him, causing devastating injuries. He was rushed to Intermountain St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Mont., where trauma specialists raced to treat his multiple fractures and internal bleeding, which required several surgeries and blood transfusions. While he was unconscious in the ICU, his wife Erika, who was 23 weeks pregnant, went into preterm labor and gave birth to their son, Brooks, who was immediately admitted to the hospital’s NICU, leaving both dad and son simultaneously in the care of St. Vincent.
As Zack slowly recovered, Erika faced the emotional and physical toll of caring for premature infant while supporting her husband. Tragically, Brooks developed a severe gastrointestinal condition common in extremely premature babies. Within hours, his condition deteriorated and he passed away. The NICU staff provided compassionate support, helping the family say goodbye with dignity. They created keepsakes, bathed and dressed Brooks, and even arranged for Zack — who had been transferred to a rehab facility — to see his son one last time.
In the months that followed, Zack continued his physical recovery with Erika as his full-time caregiver, while they both grieved the loss of Brooks. The couple held a memorial service on Brooks’ due date, where music therapist Brooke Wagner performed a song in his honor. The Fievets later reunited with the caregivers at St. Vincent to express their deep gratitude for the life-saving care and emotional support they received. Said Erika, “A simple thank you doesn’t feel like enough… they did so much for us.”