INTERVIEWS TODAY: "Little Campers" Gather Sunday To Celebrate NICU Reunion (Photo) -09/05/24
CLACKAMAS, Ore. (Sept. 5, 2024): Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center will celebrate its annual NICU Reunion event, "Little Campers, Big Adventures" on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, outside the Labor & Delivery department. This heartwarming event is a celebration of strength, resilience, and the incredible journey of hundreds of families and children who received life-saving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
This fall also marks the 10th anniversary of the Sunnyside NICU, making it an extra special occasion for the entire community. Families, friends, and healthcare workers will be able to reconnect and celebrate the progress and growth of these remarkable NICU graduates.
NICU mom Cynthia Hernandez, whose son, Saint, was born at 25 weeks and 6 days gestational age and weighing just 2 pounds 1/2 oz, said “Our journey with Saint in the NICU was one of the most challenging times in our lives, yet one of the most beautiful moments.” Saint was delivered at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside on Sept. 6, 2023, and spent 107 days in the NICU. “The care that Saint received during his stay in the NICU was absolutely incredible. Saint was on a C-pap from birth until he was 36 weeks gestational age. Throughout his stay he also received two blood transfusions. He was on a feeding tube while in the NICU and was able to come home without it."
Hernandez continues, “Saint just celebrated his first birthday! He is full of life and love. You will always catch him smiling and on the go. He is an extraordinarily strong, smart, active and a very alert boy. It was great having the support of the NICU team because they were there every step of the way, making it easier on our family. Especially while juggling two of Saint’s siblings at home and in school."
Interviews Available from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8:
Media are invited to attend the NICU reunion celebration from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8 in the courtyard at Sunnyside Medical Center (10180 S.E. Sunnyside Rd., Clackamas). Interviews will be available near the entrance of the courtyard. Contact Karen Vitt to RSVP or for additional info.
- Jennifer Marsh, RN, NICU Charge Nurse
- Cynthia Hernandez, NICU mom whose son, Saint, was born at 25 weeks and 6 days gestational age and weighing just 2 pounds 1/2 oz. Saint was delivered at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside on Sept. 6, 2023 and spent 107 days in the NICU.
Visuals/Activities at the "Little Campers, Big Adventures" NICU Reunion include:
- A visit from a therapy llama, where attendees can feed carrots.
- Farm animals, such as bunnies, for kids to interact with.
- Clackamas County sheriff vehicles and deputies providing educational materials.
- A firetruck and fire department personnel offering safety information.
- A PANDA transport ambulance (The Pediatric and Neonatal Doernbecher Transport team provides ICU level care for critically ill and injured children during transports).
- Community Library Services will be giving away books.
- A variety of fun, games, treats and prizes for children and parents, including sidewalk chalk, story time, a scavenger hunt, a photo booth and other pediatric wellbeing information.
- Reconnect with many of our NICU staff.
ABOUT KAISER PERMANENTE
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, please visit: about.kaiserpermanente.org
