Neonatal Intensive Care Reunion

By Susan Ready

Two babies tied for the “smallest at birth award,” both entering the world at just one pound, two ounces. But today you wouldn’t even know they entered the world so early, as they are healthy and happy two-year olds. Where were these awards given?… At the Neonatal Intensive Care Reunion!
On Saturday, April 5th, more than 160 families enjoyed themselves at this year’s 20th annual reunion party, hosted by the Angels for Children at Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville Hospital Foundation, and the NICU nursing staff. All 2006 NICU “graduates,” along with their families, were invited to share their success stories with NICU physicians and nurses who were there to reconnect with their former patients. For two hours on that spring morning, the gym at Trinity United Methodist Church was bustling with energetic toddlers and their grateful parents. The reunion party featured toddler-oriented games, refreshments, door prizes, face painting, and clowns.

Some of these babies are in the hospital for up to six months after they are born, so the Neonatal ICU physicians and nurses literally become family. One of the most touching moments at the reunion party is when a family sees that special nurse who cared for their baby, and the physicians take great pride in seeing hundreds of their success stories running around!

Neonatologists Dr. Zuzana Novak, Dr. Tommy Davison, Dr. Lee Morris and Dr. Meyer Dworsky reunite with their former patients.

Families often travel from all across north Alabama and south central Tennessee for their newborns to receive care at the only level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the Tennessee Valley which is at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. They always look forward to traveling back to Huntsville for this special reunion. One family even traveled from Lexington, Florida!

This year’s reunion was a great success, and we’re already looking forward to the next one!