Owensboro Health Regional Hospital is welcoming all Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates back for its reunion that is held annually on the fourth Sunday each September.
This year marks the sixth of the NICU reunion, and with its Dr. Seuss-themed party, graduates and their families are invited to return to the hospital to visit with Owensboro Health employees who were instrumental in their NICU graduates’ progress during their stay.
Owensboro Health has had a NICU since 2010 but has only held this event since moving to the new facility in 2013.
Two Owensboro Health nurses understand the importance of the NICU and the reunion well.
Twins Ashlyn Higgins and Caitlyn Morrow, both from Owensboro, always had plans to become nurses, but Morrow said that while in a high school career internship, she learned about being a NICU nurse and told her sister that that’s where she hoped to work.
While in her nursing program, Morrow said she only visited the NICU once but was fortunate to do her externship in the unit, which led to her being hired as a NICU nurse.
“There were no other options for me,” she said of her desire to work in the NICU.
Higgins, who is now a nursery nurse, something she said she hoped and prayed for, previously worked in labor and delivery.
In 2015, Higgins delivered her son Benson, who was admitted to the NICU.
“I always heard how amazing it [the NICU] was and when he was admitted, I knew he was in great hands,” Higgins said.
Because of the medical staff, Higgins said she was able to leave to take her college classes, and she knew he was being taken care of.
Both sisters agree that the reunion is special for parents and hospital staff. Higgins said that her colleagues know about her son’s stay in the NICU, and when he comes to the reunion, those that cared for him visit with him.
Morrow said the event is well thought out and that her favorite part is the t-shirt that each graduate is given and is signed by the nurses as a keepsake. She said that during the reunions, she enjoys talking to the parents and seeing their face when she recognizes them and remembers her experiences with their graduate.
“You remember them [the NICU infant], what blanket, what outfit, it’s just so special,” Morrow said. “They are happy to see you and that’s so special.”
With over 200 NICU graduates attending each year and their families, NICU Director Bridget Burshears said that over 700 people usually come through the open-house style event.
With games, tickets that can be redeemed for prizes, a photo booth and crafts, the reunion is spread out over the first floor of Owensboro Heath so that it doesn’t seem like such a large event.
This year, the craft will be creating artwork for the NICU waiting area.
Burshears said that the staff puts so much into this day because those who have had infants in the NICU become family.
“All of that hard work you put in, to see it on the other side is incredible,” Burshears said.
The 2019 Reunion will be held Sunday, Sept. 22 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Cafe and Medical Office Building Conference rooms at OHRH. All Owensboro Health NICU graduates and their families are invited to attend this free event.
For more information and to R.S.V.P. to the event, click here.
