Austin, Texas - (April 14, 2011) - Seton Medical Center Austin is hosting its 36th annual reunion for former patients and family members of its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on April 16 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Bailey Square Park located behind the hospital on 32nd Street.
The special event allows "graduate" children who were cared for in the Marialice Shivers Regional Neonatal Center, along with their families, a chance to reunite with the doctors and nurses who provided their care. Special activities include a moonwalk, balloon sculpting, arts and crafts, as well as refreshments and ice cream.
The celebration has grown considerably from the first event. In 1975, 23 children and their families participated. This year, nearly 800 former patients, family members and Seton Austin nurses and medical staff are expected to attend.
"The NICU staff and doctors very much look forward to seeing their old patients all grown up," said Susan Crane, RN, MBA, vice president of network neonatal services for the Seton Family of Hospitals. "Many of the babies were merely a couple of pounds when they were admitted to the NICU, so it's wonderful to see them healthy and well."
Seton's Austin Marialice Shivers Regional Neonatal Center is one of three level III NICUs in the Seton Family network.
A level three NICU is staffed by physicians (neonatologists), nurse practitioners, nurses and respiratory therapists who are specially trained to care for premature and critically ill newborns.
Seton was recently honored by the Texas Health and
Human Services Commission for its perinatal safety practices.
The hospital organization has one of the lowest birth-trauma
rates in the nation. Initiatives put in place to reduce birth
trauma and improve the rate of full-term pregnancy have led to
safer pregnancies and healthier babies at Seton.
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the