For more than three decades, the Maxwell family has been woven into the fabric of Dell Children’s Medical Center. What began with a single act of compassion in 1990—to purchase an iron lung for a young boy named James—has grown into a legacy of philanthropy, leadership, and advocacy that continues to shape the hospital’s future. But in December of 2023, that legacy took on a new, deeply personal meaning as Dell Children’s became a lifeline for Nyle and Nancy Maxwell’s twin grandsons.
From Community Leaders to Grateful Grandparents
Nyle and Nancy Maxwell have long been champions of children’s health in Central Texas. Their journey began when Nyle saw a news segment about a critically ill child who needed an iron lung to survive. It aired on their son Trey’s fifth birthday, and something clicked. Moved by the urgency and heartache of the story, Nyle called the station that night and committed to funding the life-saving equipment himself. That moment sparked a lifelong commitment to keeping families close to care in Central Texas.
Over the years, the Maxwells have helped shape pediatric care in the region—from supporting the establishment of the original Children’s Hospital of Austin to supporting Dell Children’s growth into a nationally recognized leader. Their children grew up immersed in this mission, volunteering at telethons, running lemonade stands, and even appearing on the cover of the Children’s Hospital magazine.
A Personal Chapter Begins
In late 2023, the Maxwells’ connection to Dell Children’s took on a new, deeply personal meaning when their daughter-in-law, Athena, was pregnant with twin boys. At 27 weeks, doctors noticed that one of the babies had stopped growing at the same rate as his brother. A top-level NICU would be essential. Thanks to the recent opening of Dell Children’s Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, the family knew exactly where to turn.
“I had an entire team there with me—everyone together in one room, going over everything, talking about options, and building a plan,” Athena recalled. “That was pretty amazing. Normally, you see one person, and everything gets relayed, but here I felt completely seen and supported.”
Within weeks, Athena was admitted and underwent a carefully planned C-section at 30 weeks. “It wasn’t part of my birth plan at all,” she said, “but the care was amazing. I didn’t realize how intense it would all be, but I never felt alone.”
Care That Extends Beyond the Patient
Dell Children’s is known for its family-centered approach—and Athena felt that deeply.
“I wasn’t the only one who needed support—my husband did too. And Dell had a psychologist on staff who met with both of us. He wasn’t overlooked. That meant a lot.”
The NICU was just down the hall from the delivery room, which made a world of difference. “I didn’t have to be separated from my babies or have them rushed to another hospital. That was absolutely amazing,” she said. “And I’m still in touch with some of the nurses. They became part of our story.”
A Sister’s Perspective
Marcella, Athena’s sister-in-law and a former Dell Children’s employee who now serves on the Foundation Board, brings a rare, layered perspective to the story.
“I’ve worked inside Dell Children’s. I know the people, the programs, and the passion. But this was the first time it was our family in the NICU,” she said. “And I remember thinking—she’s in the best hands. I had full faith.”
She remembers the moment Athena shared the news that the babies would need specialized care. The family reached out to Dell Children’s, and within days, plans were underway to get the twins the help they needed.
Marcella also noted how meaningful it was to witness the human side of the care. “You hear about how compassionate the nurses are, but to see it? To see the notes, the laughter, the kindness—it meant the world. Months later, Athena is still in touch with some of them. That says everything.”
A Legacy, Lived
For Nyle and Nancy, seeing their family receive the care they had spent decades supporting was a powerful moment of affirmation.
“This was a direct confirmation of the reward,” Nyle said. “We got to live what we had only spoken about for years. It works. The care is real. And it’s remarkable.”
Their recent gift—a transformative programmatic endowment to support the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center—ensures that more families will have access to this caliber of care for years to come. The family chose to support the program so that funding could be flexibly allocated across maternal, fetal, and neonatal needs.
They also emphasized the importance of wraparound support, including NICU-based psychologists. “That’s not a reimbursable position. That’s just care, plain and simple. And our family needed it,” Nancy said.
A Gift of Reassurance
In the end, perhaps the greatest gift the Maxwells could offer their son and daughter-in-law wasn’t financial—it was emotional.
“We knew this hospital. We knew its people,” Nancy said. “And we could look our kids in the eye and say, ‘You’re in the best place in the world for this.’”
That assurance proved to be a lifeline. “In a moment when everything felt uncertain,” Marcella said, “we had certainty. That’s what Dell Children’s gave us. And that’s what we want to give to others.”
Nyle adds, “When you support Dell Children’s, you’re not just investing in a building or a name—you’re investing in families. You’re building the confidence that, no matter what happens, there’s a place that can take care of everyone you love. We’ve always believed in that. And now, we’ve lived it.”