Just two years ago in January, Terry’s House opened its doors to families with critically ill or injured loved ones at Community Regional Medical Center … it has been brimming ever since with guests who have found respite and relief.

When you think of “mom” a dozen images rush to your mind – and this year’s Fresno County Women’s Chamber of Commerce “Mother of the Year” winner Julie Christopherson is the epitome of those images – home, family, church, work, community, charity, understanding, empathy and love.

Thanks to a $100,000 gift from the Fansler Foundation babies in Community Regional Medical Center’s Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have a little more elbow room to help their healing.

The NICU expanded in 2011 – from 65- to 84-beds – making it one of the largest in California. Work completed on the expanded unit includes updated countertops, painting, flooring and equipment.

Meet Yaretzi.

 Jill Kienow, obstetrics manager at Clovis Community Medical Center, was honored with the “Patriot Award” from the United States Department of Defense.

Kim Powell cried the day she left Community Regional Medical Center’s antepartum unit for women who are experiencing trouble with their pregnancy. She didn’t want to leave, even though it meant she was going to be delivering her baby and getting off six weeks of bed rest.

Gracee, Ashlee, Emilee and their parents Matthew and Cadee Peters visited Community Regional Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to celebrate a milestone – their fifth birthdays.

The active 5-year-old girls stopped and posed for a photo with Dr. Krishnakumar Rajani, director of the neonatal program at Community Regional Medical Center, who was there when they were born.