A reunion filled with gratitude | Family visits physician who saved their newborn eight years ago

July 18, 2025 

Contact: Dawn Bryant 

Tidelands Health  
(843) 652-1636 

dbryant@tidelandshealth.org 

News for Immediate Release: 

A reunion filled with gratitude | Family visits physician who saved their newborn eight years ago 

One heartfelt “thank you” could never fully express the gratitude Andrew and Bethany Woolfolk feel for Dr. Scott Nicol, a pediatrician at Tidelands Health.   

Eight years after a moment they’ll never forget, the Woolfolks made a special stop at Tidelands Health Pediatrics and Adult Medicine in Pawleys Island during their spring break trip from Virginia to personally thank the doctor who helped save their twin son.  

The Woolfolks, now parents of four children and another one on the way, wanted to show Dr. Nicol just how much his care meant to them.   

“God used Dr. Nicol’s hands miraculously to save our son’s life,” Andrew said. “We’ll never forget him.”  

The day everything changed  

In 2016, the Woolfolks were living in Myrtle Beach and overjoyed to be expecting twins. As they eagerly prepared for the arrival of their sons, Ryan and Brady, every ultrasound, every nursery decision, every kick was filled with double the excitement.  

What began as a smooth labor for Bethany at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital on Dec. 1, 2016, quickly took a turn for the worse.   

“Everything was going fine,” Bethany said. “But when I started pushing, Ryan got stuck. They had to use a vacuum to help deliver him, and it took a long time.”  

As the team worked to deliver Ryan, Brady’s heart stopped beating while he was still in the womb. The room, once filled with anticipation, now silent and tense.  

When Ryan was finally delivered, the team rushed Bethany into surgery to perform an emergency C-section.  

In those terrifying moments, the Woolfolks could only hope and pray.  

That’s when the Woolfolks first met Dr. Nicol, a pediatrician at Tidelands Health, who was working the labor and delivery floor that day.   

“We immediately began resuscitation efforts,” Dr. Nicol said. “This involved assisted breathing with a mask and chest compressions while constantly monitoring for pulse and breathing.”  

After several minutes, the care team was able to get Brady back.   

Despite the successful revival, Brady was still at risk for serious brain and organ injury due to the lack of oxygen. Dr. Nicol coordinated with the neonatal team at MUSC Health, arranging for Brady to be airlifted to the Charleston hospital for a treatment known as neonatal therapeutic hypothermia.  

This treatment involves cooling the baby’s body to about 92.3 degrees.  

“By cooling the baby, it slows the metabolic rate, hopeful that may reduce the possibility of organ damage from low oxygen levels,” Dr. Nicol said. “At that time, it was just beginning to be recommended in those situations.”  

Brady spent 13 days in the NICU at MUSC Health. Each day brought new challenges but also hope. And finally, the Woolfolks were able to bring both of their boys home.  

Endless gratitude  

Today, Brady is a thriving young boy, keeping pace with his twin brother Ryan, and his other siblings.   

The family carved out time during their vacation to personally thank Dr. Nicol and take photos with him – a heartfelt way to honor the care that forever changed the course of their lives.  

“Rarely do you get to thank someone who made such a life-changing impact,” Andrew said. “We only spent a few hours with Dr. Nicol that day back in 2016, but he’ll always be part of our family’s story.”  

For Dr. Nicol, seeing Brady - now a healthy, energetic child - was a reminder of the impact of his work.  

“You don’t always get to see the long-term outcomes,” Dr. Nicol said. “But when you do, it’s incredibly rewarding.” 

Watch a video of the reunion here. 

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About Tidelands Health 

Tidelands Health, in collaboration with MUSC Health, is the region’s largest health care provider, serving the Carolinas at four hospitals and more than 70 outpatient locations. More than 2,500 employee, physician and volunteer partners work side by side with our communities to transform the health of our region – promoting wellness, preventing illness, encouraging recovery and restoring health.