Alex Bisset has turned his writing talent into philanthropy by donating a portion of the proceeds from his book to the Bozeman Health Foundation to support the Bozeman Health neonatal intensive care unit fund. Published in June 2023, “The Destination Birth” is Bisset’s first book and can be purchased from the Bozeman Health Gift Shop, Country Bookshelf in downtown Bozeman, and online retailers including Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble.

                                                                       photos courtesy of Alex and Lauren Bisset

BOZEMAN — For expecting parents Lauren and Alex Bisset, the summer of 2022 was one for the books. Literally.

At 34 weeks pregnant, they headed West for Montana to spend quality time together before the birth of their new baby and to witness two of their closest friends exchange their I-do’s in Paradise Valley, Mont.

Thousands of miles from their home in New York, the destination wedding and babymoon quickly turned into an unexpected destination birth and, ultimately, an unforgettable journey of hope and determination that is now forever memorialized through the couple’s reflections and Alex’s own penning. Turning their story into philanthropy came in tandem.

“There were so many people that helped us along the way, and the care we received from Bozeman Health inspired us to pay it forward,” Alex said. “Sharing our story has been joyful and being able to give back adds another destination point to an already fulfilling journey.”

Thirty-eight days prior to her expected arrival, Everly Montana Bisset made her grand entrance into the world, fashionably early and in true Montana cowgirl form—ready to chase her next adventure on a cross-country train ride to the summer’s final destination: home.

Unlike the familiarity of bustling East Coast subway stations and short commuter railroads, the new parents boarded the train for their home destination, new baby in tow, a journey that would take them through the plains of eastern Montana to the sunset over the Hudson River.

New parents, Lauren and Alex Bisset, board the Amtrak in Havre, Mont. with their newborn, who was delivered at Bozeman Health 38 days prior to her due date and 2,157 miles from their home in New York City.

Lauren and Alex Bisset take a family photo from their roomette aboard the Amtrak.

The landscapes and 2,157-mile train ride were anything but mundane, all taken in from a 20 square-foot roomette. The small quarters left little wiggle room on one side, and time to pass on the other.

Minutes turned to hours as they reminisced the many twists and turns of events that landed them there, on a train taking them across the country—now chugging along somewhere in the middle of nowhere North Dakota.

They didn’t want to ever forget or let the memories of their twist-of-fate birth story fade. And as fate would have it, what began as a keepsake journal took a turn of its own one-year later in book form titled, “The Destination Birth.”

Turning their story into philanthropy came in tandem, the couple said, as a way to express gratitude for the care they and their newborn daughter received. In honor of this care, the Bissets have committed to donate a portion of book sale proceeds to Bozeman Health Foundation’s NICU fund to support enhancements to patient care, innovations, training and specialty equipment.

“I speak on behalf of the entire NICU when I say how grateful we are for Alex and Lauren’s support in recognition of the high-quality care they and their newborn received with us, which is a true testament to our staff,” said Stacey Verhoeven, the NICU’s supervisor. “This gift will directly support the ongoing care of our most vulnerable young patients, which is of utmost importance.”

In addition to the percentage of proceeds from books sold online, Bisset is donating 100 percent of the proceeds of books purchased directly from the Bozeman Health gift shop.

About the author
Alex Bisset, author of “The Destination Birth”
Alex Bisset was born and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut and has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Alex considers his family and friends to be most important to him, and spending time with his daughter brings a smile to his face every day. He is an avid outdoorsman and adventurer, and loves to exercise, stemming from his time spent as a member of the University of Wisconsin Men’s Varsity Rowing team. “The Destination Birth” is Alex’s first book.

About Bozeman Health Foundation
Bozeman Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Bozeman Health, southwest Montana’s leading integrated, not-for-profit health care system. The foundation secures, manages and stewards charitable gifts to support the mission of Bozeman Health, all of which benefit the people of southwest Montana. Learn more at bozemanhealthfoundation.org.

About Bozeman Health
Bozeman Health is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving an eight-county region in southwest Montana. As a nonprofit organization, governed by a volunteer community board of directors, Bozeman Health is the largest private employer in Gallatin County, with more than 2,400 employees, including 250 medical providers representing 40 clinical specialties.