Owensboro Health hosts first NICU reunion since pandemic

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 300 neonatal intensive care unit graduates attended a reunion in Owensboro.

Owensboro Health held the reunion on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the babies discharged from the NICU.

Food, games and other activities were provided.

Doctors we spoke to said it’s great to see how the babies and families are thriving.

“I think the phrase I heard somebody say was ‘fill my cap.’ And I think that’s a fair statement is that it fills our heart, and it reminds us why we do what we do. We know what we do, but it really it brings it home on days like this. It’s if you talk to any of the staff, it’s our favorite day of the year,” said Dr. Bridget Burshears, medical director of Owensboro Health NICU.

The reunion event usually happens once a year but was put on pause because of the pandemic.

“We really create a lot of memories with these families and relationships. And so we’re very excited to see them come back,” said Burshears.

Owensboro Health said its NICU can tend to babies of any weight born as early as 27 weeks.