Babies on parade: Tanner celebrates NICU’s fifth anniversary

Big things come in small packages.

That's especially true for the babies in the Sally and John Francis Tanner Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton - where the health system's smallest, most fragile patients prove every day that big things are possible no matter where you start.

And for the past five years, those newborns have been the truest testament.

For its fifth anniversary, Tanner's NICU held a stroller parade celebration with families of the NICU's graduates, some of whom are on their way to turning 5 years old themselves.

The parade was held at Adams Park and Adams Magnolia Park at the Tanner Health Pavilion, where dozens of families and their "little ones" gathered to take part in the celebration.

Tiny patients, big dreams

Tanner's NICU opened in 2018 with an inaugural celebration, "Hey, Baby," where families and those who were expecting toured the new NICU in Carrollton, met the unit's care team and got a closer look inside the nursery.

Tanner's neonatal care team is staffed by certified neonatologists, pediatricians and nurses working together to provide advanced care in a unit with state-of-the-art equipment, giving those newborns their best chance at a healthy life.

"We have a stellar maternity care team, and I can't thank them enough for their commitment to the newborns and families who enter our NICU," said Loy Howard, president and CEO of Tanner Health System. "It's part of our mission to provide the highest quality of care to every patient - and our smallest patients are no exception. It's synonymous with the care we deliver across our health system; our compassion and dedication to our patients - no matter how small - sets us apart. Our commitment to families across our region provides remarkable care to our community's smallest patients and their families ."

The Oct. 12 parade followed up on that inaugural event where the unit's nurses and physicians reunited with their patients five years later.

"The NICU is such a special place," said Preeti Singh, MD, MPH, practice medical director and neonatologist on the neonatal care team at Tanner. "This is where some newborns and their families are fighting the most difficult battle of their lives, so it's heartwarming to see these babies growing up healthy and strong - and it's a privilege to be part of their journey."

Specialized care, close to home

When babies are born early, with health complications or at a low birth weight, they usually require care in a specialized nursery. Even infants born as multiples - twins or triplets- come to the NICU after birth.

"The NICU can be an overwhelming place for families, and we understand that," said Ruth Travis, RN, RN-C, IBCLC, the NICU nurse manager. "There's so much worry when your baby enters the NICU. Parents come in and see lots of machines and equipment - it's scary. That's why it's so important to us - and one of our top priorities - to not only provide advanced care for these tiny infants but also to partner with families and provide support to help them navigate their baby's journey."

Tanner's NICU is a Level III intensive care nursery - one of the only nurseries of its type in the region - equipped to provide this level of specialized care where infants receive treatments like ventilation and other support for days or weeks at a time.

Level III NICUs are dedicated nurseries that care for babies born before 32 weeks gestation and those born with specific medical conditions requiring surgery or other specialized care, including respiratory and breathing support, specialized monitoring equipment, pharmacy and imaging services.

"Hosting this event was an honor," said Travis. "To have cared for these babies and see them growing up strong and healthy - there's no better feeling."

Learn more about the Sally and John Francis Tanner NICU at tanner.org/maternity-care.

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