NICU nurse Janine Bahler reunites with NICU graduate Lillian Chase (left) at the event, as she holds her daughter Camille (right).
It’s only been a few months since Rebecca Malone was released from the NICU, but her parents couldn’t wait to visit with the “second family” they met during their baby’s 63-day stay there. The story was similar for many of the nearly 300 children and their families who attended the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) Reunion held on the Beeghly campus on Oct. 5, an event held every other year. Several local community groups, volunteers and businesses coordinated interactive games, activities and refreshments for attendees.
Rebecca Malone was all smiles as she and her family rekindled relationships they formed at Akron Children’s NICU at St. Elizabeth Hospital-Boardman. Now 8-months old she’s already hitting all her actual-age milestones. She was born at 29 weeks and weighed just 3 pounds.
Neonatologist Dr. Jennifer Manning got some snuggle time in with NICU graduate Lilith Bishop.
“We’re here to see the nurses and doctors that helped her, and also some of the other kids she was in the NICU with,” said Ashley Malone, her mother. “NICU families form unique bonds with hospital staff. They take care of your child like they would their own children or grandchildren at such a critical time in their life.”
The Malones live in Boardman. They were particularly thankful for hospital staff for caring for Rebecca when Ashley would leave at night to put her and her husband’s 3-year-old son to bed at home.
“You just have this comfort that you can leave your child, as difficult as that is to do, and they would be OK,” she said.
James and Claire Wardle also attended with their family. They overcame long odds after being born prematurely at 23-weeks gestation, each weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces. Read more about them.
More than 100 NICU graduates registered
Event coordinator Kelly Robertson, with triplets of her own who are NICU graduates, said 128 children registered for the reunion – from newborns to age 36.
About 10-12 sets of twins and 3-4 sets of triplets attended.
“Our NICU doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists absolutely remember these children and their families. They look as forward to this event as the patients families do. They become like a second family during the NICU stay,” Robertson said.
Following a NICU graduate group photo, Chuck Dann of Warren sat at a picnic table with 10-month-old daughter Mila Rose. She was born 6 weeks early and spent 2 weeks in the NICU. He also had a spirited 3-year-old NICU graduate at the event, Jackson, who was off playing on the playground.
“It’s comforting to know how well they take care of the children,” he said. “We wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
NICU reunion veterans Elena, Coraline and Meredith Wakefield of Boardman continue to grow and thrive, and they always have a great time with their parents at the event.
The day was full of activities and giveaways, including these water bottles for proud NICU moms.
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