Former Patients Reunite at Nebraska Medicine NICU ‘Trunk or Treat’ Event
They started life as some of the hospital’s most delicate patients. Many were born too soon or facing critical health challenges. But this weekend they’ll return to Nebraska Medical Center with smiles, costumes and plenty of gratitude.
Former patients of the medical center’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will return with their families to share snacks and smiles with the staff members who helped care for them right after they were born. Some returning patients are still young, but others have grown so big and strong it might be hard for the nurses to recognize them.
Patients and their families will also be able to take part in various games, activities and character meet and greets during the event.
“When a baby starts its life with a long hospital stay, it’s incredibly tough on the family,” says Jane Grandi-Andersen, NICU staff nurse. “But we’re with these families around the clock during those precious first days, weeks and months of life. It’s such a highlight for the NICU staff to be able to see how far our graduates have come and to reconnect with their families.”
This year’s theme is “Trunk or Treat,” with patients meeting up with NICU nurses, nurse practitioners, neonatologists and labor and delivery staff during the event.
The Nebraska Medical Center NICU has been providing specialized care to newborns and their families, from across the state to across the country, since 1968.
WHAT: NICU Reunion at Nebraska Medical Center
WHEN: Saturday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m. (Media welcome from 1:00-2:00 p.m.)
WHERE: Truhlsen Campus Events Center (First level of the Michael F. Sorrell Center) 619 South 42ndStreet
OTHER: If you plan on attending, RSVP to Taylor Wilson at 402-871-8338 or twilson@nebraskamed.com. Members of the media can park in the curb cuts east of 42nd on Emile Street. The Sorrell Center is the building with the red stethoscope statue in front. Only families who have signed media consents can be photographed or filmed. Taylor will be on site to direct media to those families.