News Seton Medical Center Austin Hosts 35th Annual Neonatal Reunion Picnic

AUSTIN, TX - (April 23, 2010) - The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Seton Medical Center Austin (SMCA) is hosting its 35th Annual Neonatal Reunion Picnic tomorrow to celebrate the healthy milestones of hundreds of children.

The special event offers children who were cared for by the staff of the Marialice Shivers Regional Neonatal Center at SMCA, along with their families, a chance to reunite with the doctors and nurses who provided their care.

"Every year, we look forward to seeing how our graduates have changed and grown," said Susan Crane, RNC-NIC, MBA, MSN, HC, NEA-BC, vice president of neonatal services, Seton Family of Hospitals. "There are very special bonds among families, physicians, nurses and the NICU team as babies grow stronger."

"We received incredible support from the staff during our stay," said Casey Jones, who delivered quintuplets at SMCA last January. "Four of our babies stayed in the NICU for two months and one for three months. We still keep in touch with the nurses who took care of our family during that time and they've even come by the house to check on us."

The celebration is being held on Saturday, April 24, from 1-4 p.m. at Bailey Square Park, located two blocks south of SMCA. Free parking is available around the park or in the garage at the corner of 34th Street and Lamar.

Attendees will enjoy a train, moonwalks, refreshments, arts and crafts, t-shirts, balloon sculpting and much more.

The reunion picnic has grown considerably over the years. In 1975, 23 children and their families attended the first reunion. Last year, close to 900 graduates and family members took part in the afternoon of fun.

Fast Facts: The Marialice Shivers Regional Neonatal Center

• The center was the first of its kind in Central Texas.
• Originally the brainchild of Sister Mary Rose McPhee, Daughter of Charity, former CEO and longtime associate of SMCA, the center has since treated thousands of infants.
• The NICU staffs 80 nurses.
• The center admits about 600 babies each year.
• The center sends a special team to transfer premature and acutely ill infants by STAR Flight or ambulance back to the center.

Fast Facts: Seton Family of Hospitals - Maternity

• The Seton Family of Hospitals is the recipient of the first Maternity Quality Matters Award, given by Childbirth Connections, for demonstrating significant improvement in maternity care quality through measurement of performance, incorporation of evidence-based practice and responsiveness to the needs of childbearing women and their families.
• The Joint Commission named the Seton Family of Hospitals as a recipient of the 11th Annual Ernest Amory Codman Award, recognizing success in reducing preventable birth injuries.