At 28 weeks pregnant, Nicole Clancy was feeling great. Imaging showed that her pregnancy was healthy and right on track. It was June 30, 2025.
"We got a 3-D ultrasound and everything," she said excitedly. "You could see the baby so clearly."
The next day, Nicole decided to go for her morning run. She ran her usual route along the American River; the one she had travelled every day for years.
"Running is a such big part of my life," Nicole said. "I just love it."
She was less than half a mile away from her home in Rancho Cordova when the unthinkable happened as she was crossing the crosswalk.
He came out of nowhere. The driver had run the red light.
Nicole later learned the car was travelling at 40+ miles per hour. She doesn't remember the impact, although she remained conscious.
"I was stunned," Nicole said. "I thought I was in a dream. It was so scary."
Fortunately, there was a woman at the scene who stayed with Nicole. The stranger flagged down an off-duty Rancho Cordova police officer to help. An ambulance arrived shortly after to take her to UC Davis Medical Center, the only level 1 trauma center in inland northern California.
Trauma care close by
Nicole was understandably frightened and panicked when she arrived at the UC Davis Emergency Department. She asked the care team to call her husband, Kevin.
In that moment, UC Davis did what is does best: pull together to deliver incredible multi-disciplinary care under the most difficult circumstances." -Jonathan Kohler, UC Davis pediatric trauma medical director
At first, they couldn't reach him but kept trying. When he answered, the care team told him that Nicole was in critical condition.
"In that moment, UC Davis did what is does best: pull together to deliver incredible multi-disciplinary care under the most difficult circumstances," said Jonathan Kohler, pediatric trauma medical director.
A coordinated team effort
Although trauma scans showed Nicole had no internal bleeding, fetal monitoring indicated her baby was in distress. A suspected placental abruption — where the placenta detaches from the inner wall of the uterus, cutting off the baby's oxygen and nutrients — was occurring. The team had to move fast. An emergency C-section was needed.
Nicole remembers multiple nurses and doctors coming into her room. Susan Gorman and chief resident Amberly Diep from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology immediately responded to the trauma call.
"This was an unforgettable case and intense moment," Gorman said. "The teamwork and communication in the ED and operating room were extraordinary. Everyone responded without hesitation, knew their role and acted as one. Being prepared and ready made all the difference for the expedient delivery and outcomes."
Not only for the baby, but for Nicole, too.
"I'm proud of the work we do every day, but never more than on that day," Kohler said. "I walked into the OR and watched as our trauma surgeons helped our obstetricians deliver the baby so neonatologists could begin resuscitation while NICU nurses and transfusion specialists were preparing blood product for a transfusion. At the same time, our anesthesiologists were orchestrating care for two critically ill patients in one operating room."
This was an unforgettable case and intense moment. The teamwork and communication in the operating room were extraordinary. Everyone responded without hesitation, knew their role and acted as one. The shared readiness made all the difference." -Susan Gorman, UC Davis obstetrician/gynecologist
Nicole's husband and family eagerly awaited news. The update was all they had hoped for: Both mother and daughter survived and were expected to recover.
Baby steps
Although she was 12 weeks early, the Clancy's first child had arrived.
"The baby was delivered safely and transferred to the NICU for stabilization," Gorman said. "The positive outcome underscores the importance of teamwork, training and rapid response for maternal trauma situations."
The baby, named McKenzie, weighed only 2 lbs. 10 oz.
"When I woke up, I was told that the care team had to do CPR on her, as well as give her a blood transfusion. But she made it," Nicole recounted joyfully. "I was so relieved."
When Nicole finally saw her daughter for the first time, she recognized her immediately.
"It was kind of crazy seeing her after she was born versus the 3-D scan we literally had from the day before," Nicole said. "It was like, 'Wow. She looks just like her picture.'"
Runs in the family
McKenzie had a lengthy NICU stay ahead, but amazingly, Nicole had no major internal or brain injuries. She had a hairline nasal fracture and a broken humerus and clavicle, plus a bad case of road rash. Nicole and her family had one lingering question, though: What about her legs?
"We are all runners. That's how we spend a lot of our time together," Nicole said. "Everyone cheered when we found out both legs were intact!"
Nicole was given the option to let the broken bones heal on their own or have surgery to set them. She decided on the latter. After six days at UC Davis Medical Center, she went home for a few days and then returned for orthopaedic surgery.
"Nicole underwent surgery to stabilize the fractures to help them heal correctly, but also allow her to be able to use the arm more quickly for caring for her new baby," said orthopaedic trauma surgeon, Ellen Fitzpatrick. "Her experiences as a runner and athlete have helped tremendously in her recovery. She was eager to begin physical therapy and return to her activities. Nicole's improvement has been a real testament to all of her hard work."
Like mother, like daughter
Baby McKenzie would spend a month in the UC Davis NICU, a Level 4 nursery (the highest possible rating) for premature infants, growing stronger by the day and proving that she's one tough girl … just like her mom.
"She's definitely a fighter. All the nurses at UC Davis called her spicy," Nicole chuckled. "They told me they love the spicy ones. The babies who give them a hard time in a good way."
Nicole said the nurses made the NICU journey much easier for not only "Kenzie", but for Nicole and Kevin as well.
"They were so understanding and patient with us. They made us feel like part of her care team," Nicole said. "I loved that we were included."
Once she was stable enough, Kenzie was transferred back to her home hospital since she was no longer needing advanced NICU care. After another three weeks, she was finally able to go home.
Team care … and caring
When the UC Davis Health care team got word that both mother and daughter were out of the hospital, it was a full circle moment.
"This story could easily have been a tragedy at a less prepared and capable facility," Kohler said. "Knowing the family was going home together was a true joy."
Despite the terrifying circumstances that brought Nicole and Kenzie to UC Davis Health, Nicole says she wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.
"I am super grateful for Dr. Gorman and Dr. Diep and all the nurses and doctors who have taken care of us," Nicole said. "They were amazing. I was so comfortable and confident about the care."
Hitting the ground running
Fast forward a few months and both the Clancy girls are doing great. Remember how happy Nicole was to learn she would be able to run again?
"I've raced in three 5Ks and a half marathon and won three out of the four, which is exciting!" Nicole said. "Physical therapy is going well. My upper body is still pretty weak, but my mobility is getting better."
And guess who else is thriving?
"According to her pediatrician, Kenzie is right on track," Nicole said. "She is meeting all her milestones which is huge!"
Kenzie was initially diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) — an eye disorder in premature babies caused by abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina which can lead to scarring, retinal detachment and vision loss — but that condition also improved. At their daughter's latest doctor visit, Nicole and Kevin were told Kenzie would not likely need any more ROP appointments in the new year.
"She is tracking people and looking around at her surroundings. Smiling, cooing and making different sounds. It's been super exciting to see her progress," Nicole said.
What else is exciting?
"Kenzie just had her first run! She joined us for the Run to Feed the Hungry together with our team," Nicole said. It was the first time seeing mom, dad and grandpa in action."
The beginning of countless miles together.
