How Cincinnati Children’s Saved Tater’s Life After a Devastating NEC Diagnosis
When Narqueisha Johnson gave birth to her son, Tater, at just 25 weeks, she was thrust into a world of fear and uncertainty. Born in Milwaukee weighing only one pound, thirteen and a half ounces, Tater faced tremendous medical challenges from the very beginning.
His lungs and heart were not fully developed, and he soon developed NEC—necrotizing enterocolitis—which destroyed most of his small intestines. The IV nutrition that kept him alive ultimately damaged his liver, leaving him in end stage liver disease and in need of a rare multi organ transplant: small bowel, liver, and pancreas.
Doctors in Wisconsin warned the family that his quality of life would be poor and even recommended withdrawing care after multiple life threatening emergencies.
But one physician insisted that transplant was Tater’s only chance, prompting Narqueisha to seek a second opinion at Cincinnati Children’s. That decision changed everything.
At Cincinnati Children’s, Tater’s care team—known nationally for their intestinal transplant expertise—was led by Monique Goldschmidt, MD, associate medical director for Intestinal Transplantation.
She and the team of caregivers described the journey as a roller coaster, yet they were continually inspired by Tater’s spirit, strength, and sense of humor, even at just five years old. Before surgery, he cracked jokes; afterward, his color began returning almost instantly, an early sign of the remarkable recovery to come.
Tater’s resilience uplifted everyone around him. Even in the ICU, with a breathing tube and central line, he asked to play basketball—his trademark spark shining through. His medical team emphasized the importance of partnering with families and offering empathy alongside expertise.
Today, Tater thrives because of a life saving transplant made possible by a donor family’s generosity. As Narqueisha shares, “Let’s live for that person who gave you a second chance at life… always be the best you.”
(Published February 2026)
