A recent Saturday morning at Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett featured the shouts of young children enjoying their time spent on the moon bounce.  Other children were getting their faces painted while some were watched in amazement as a balloon artist created everything from airplanes to zebras with his balloons.        

These kids were all “graduates” of the Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).  More than 500 babies have spent time in the hospital’s NICU since it opened six years ago. 

“Some of the children that are at the reunion faced challenging health issues as babies,” said Lisa Hayden, Women’s Center director.  “It’s great seeing them here today running around and enjoying life to its fullest.” 

Participants in the NICU reunion included Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett’s first twins and the smallest baby born at the hospital.  The nurses Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett say that seeing the children made the many hours of planning the reunion well worth their time.  

“As nurses, we get very attached to some of these children while they are in the hospital,” said Kim White, clinical coordinator.  “Knowing that we played a part in helping these children through some difficult times really gives me a good feeling inside.”