• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Family

Miracle baby celebrates 16th birthday by reuniting with doctors who saved her life

0:50
Miracle baby celebrates 16th birthday reuniting with doctors who saved her life
Jhardawne Photography
ByNicole Pelletiere
July 02, 2019, 9:39 PM

A teen has celebrated her birthday by sharing a special photo session with three doctors who save her life.

Kelsey Cadien, 16, posed with OBGYN Dr. J. Coffy Pieternelle, neonatologist Dr. Aiyanadar Bharathi and pediatrician Dr. Bobbie Colbert. The images were captured by Kelsey's cousin, Cetera Melonson of Jhardawne Photography, at Tyrrell Park Botanical Gardens in Texas, in honor of Kelsey's July 1 birthday.

Kelsey Cadien was born July 1, 2003. She was placed on life support, but survived all thanks to Dr. J. Coffy Pieternelle, Dr. Aiyanadar Bharathi and Dr. Bobbie Colbert.
Jhardawne Photography
Kelsey Cadien, 16, posed in photos with the three doctors who saved her life in 2003 after she was born.
Jhardawne Photography

"This is a special birthday and I want them to be a part of it," mom Tawana Cadien of Cypress, Texas, told "Good Morning America." "They were ecstatic and they love this child so much. Kelsey was able to understand how sentimental these photos would be."

Kelsey Cadien, 16, poses with Dr. J. Coffy Pieternelle, one of the doctors who saved her life after she was born in 2003.
Jhardawne Photography

Related Articles

(MORE: Photographer captures her own grandparents in stunning photos for their 60th wedding anniversary)

Kelsey was born July 1, 2003, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. At birth, Kelsey's lungs collapsed and she was unable to breathe on her own. She was placed on life support but ultimately survived -- and it was all thanks to the doctors and nurses of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Beaumont, Texas.

Kelsey Cadien was born July 1, 2003. At birth, Kelsey was unable to breathe on her own.
Tawana Cadien

To celebrate her daughter's sweet 16, Cadien organized a photo shoot with Kelsey, Pieternelle, Bharathi and Colbert.

"Those three worked together from jump-start in Kelsey's care," Cadien said. "I cannot help but reflect on the miracle of her life and I didn't want the doctors to ever think that we had forgotten."

Editor’s Picks

Couple marries in magical Disney-themed wedding complete with a Walt Disney officiant

  • Jun 03, 2019

6-year-old collects 1,000 jars of PB&J so her classmates won't go without a meal

  • Jun 11, 2019

Teen serving serious prom poses gets love from millions on Facebook

  • May 16, 2019
Kelsey Cadien, 16, posed in photos with the three doctors who saved her life in 2003 after she was born.
Jhardawne Photography

Kelsey is entering her junior year of high school and is focused on getting into college. She and her sister Cambel, 13, run a non-profit called KC Kids' Care, Inc. in which they encourage kids to show compassion and take action in communities.

Related Articles

(MORE: Sweet moment between brother and sister at preschool graduation has our hearts exploding)

Kelsey Cadien is seen in an undated photo with ehr sister, Cambel Cadien, 13 and Dr. Aiyanadar Bharathi, who was one of the doctors who saved her life.
Tawana Cadien

"Kelsey is very much aware she survived for a reason and she tries to give back," Cadien said, adding that her daughter is in good health.

"[S]he's a miracle child to that family, and for all of us being a part of her life," Dr. Bharathi told ABC affiliate KTRK in Houston.

Kelsey Cadien poses with the three doctors who helped save her life when she was born -- Dr. J. Coffy Pieternelle, Dr. Aiyanadar Bharathi and Dr. Bobbie Colbert.
Jhardawne Photography

Editor’s Picks

Couple marries in magical Disney-themed wedding complete with a Walt Disney officiant

  • Jun 03, 2019

6-year-old collects 1,000 jars of PB&J so her classmates won't go without a meal

  • Jun 11, 2019

Teen serving serious prom poses gets love from millions on Facebook

  • May 16, 2019

Up Next in Family—

What to know about camp safety: Key questions for parents after Texas flooding

July 11, 2025

Mom welcomes triplets after 10 years of thinking she couldn't have any more kids

July 10, 2025

Moms of 'kidfluencers' defend sharing their lives online

July 9, 2025

Anne Hathaway shares rare glimpse into life at home as mom and wife

July 8, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News