Part eight of a series introducing the passionate health care team behind CHoR’s growing Level 4 NICU
Caring for a baby in the NICU means making sure families are well supported too. Cassi Gill’s role as NICU social worker is pivotal when it comes to providing parents and caregivers with essential clinical support and advocacy, along with special touches that are often some of the most meaningful.
A Q&A with Cassi Gill, social worker in the CHoR NICU
How long have you worked in the CHoR NICU?
I have worked as a clinical social worker in the CHoR NICU for nearly 5 years! I earned my Master in Social Work degree at VCU, and during that time completed my internship at VCU Health. I knew from then that I loved VCU Health and wanted to build my career here. I have always been passionate about working with children and families, and truly found my niche here in the NICU.
Why have you stayed this long?
The team and families – they are what make this work so meaningful! Our NICU is supported by an exceptional group of providers, nurses, therapists and psychosocial team members who collaborate seamlessly and share a deep passion for the patient population we serve. Being part of such a dedicated and supportive team makes coming to work each day genuinely enjoyable. I feel so proud to be a part of this team.
I also value the strong relationships I am able to build with families and patients during their often lengthy hospital stays. Being able to support families over time, observe patients’ progress and celebrate milestones leading up to discharge is deeply rewarding. Although this period is often one of the most challenging experiences families face, it is truly inspiring to witness their strength, resilience and dedication to their children.
What does your current role entail?
In my role as clinical social worker, I provide services to every family admitted to the unit. My responsibilities include conducting psychosocial assessments, developing and implementing individualized treatment plans, providing evidence-based interventions, educating families and staff, and supporting the coordination of multidisciplinary services.
A significant part of my day-to-day work involves providing emotional support, resource navigation and strong family advocacy. I partner closely with members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure families feel supported, heard and empowered throughout their experience, while also growing and connecting with community partners across the Richmond area to strengthen resource access and continuity of care. Together, we focus on meeting families where they are and supporting them in medical decision-making while developing holistic, family-centered care plans.
Is there a moment in your career that stands out to you as being extra special?
There are several moments during my time in the NICU that stand out as especially meaningful. One is the opportunity to celebrate patient discharges after long hospitalizations. Our team truly goes above and beyond, organizing graduation parades filled with cheers and hallways lined with team members to celebrate such a big occasion.
Another particularly special moment was helping to plan a wedding in 2022 for the parents of one of our patients. Our team came together to arrange a ceremony at their daughter’s bedside, decorating the space and celebrating alongside them. It was incredibly meaningful to help create such a memorable moment for the family during an exceptionally challenging time.
Any opportunity to celebrate milestones— such as birthdays or discharges—is deeply special to our team. I especially enjoy helping bring moments of joy and normalcy to families, creating meaningful experiences even as they navigate one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
What do you hope families in the NICU take away from their interactions with you?
I hope families take away a sense of support, understanding and partnership from their interactions with me. My goal is for families to feel seen and valued, with confidence that they have an advocate walking alongside them throughout their NICU journey. I strive to ensure families feel informed, supported in decision-making, and connected to resources that help meet both their immediate and long-term needs. Ultimately, I hope families leave feeling empowered and cared for as they navigated their NICU experience.
What are you most looking forward to about the new NICU space in the Children’s Tower?
I’m really looking forward to our unit expanding and being able to better meet the growing needs of our patient population. The new space is beautiful and includes so many welcoming areas for families to take a break from the bedside, which can make such a difference during a long NICU stay.