USA Health celebrates its tiniest patients at 2026 NICU Reunion
About 1,000 babies each year “graduate” from the neonatal intensive care unit, which has some of the best outcomes in the nation related to the quality of life of those born there.
By Casandra Andrews
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Hundreds of former patients and their parents gathered at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital on April 25 for the 2026 NICU Reunion, which offered an opportunity for families and caregivers to come together and celebrate the memories and milestones their children have accomplished.
The hospital, part of the academic health system for the University of South Alabama, has the only level III neonatal intensive care unit in the region, a 98-bed space where extremely premature infants — some as young as 22 weeks gestation — are born and cared for by highly skilled physicians and other providers.
About 1,000 babies each year “graduate” from the NICU, which has some of the best outcomes in the nation when it comes to the quality of life of those born there. Some infants can stay in the NICU for six months or longer, which often allows families time to build close bonds with caregivers and some of the other parents.
The success rate — and the continuous effort from healthcare staff who influence it — are some of the reasons the reunion is so popular and well attended. The NICU staff includes a multidisciplinary team of neonatologists, nurses, educators, and therapists, all dedicated to providing the best care for the region’s most fragile patients.
“Our annual NICU reunion is one of the most meaningful days we have all year,” said Cathy McCurley, nurse manager for the NICU at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “For parents, it is a chance to reconnect with the caregivers who walked beside them during what can be one of the most challenging times of their lives. For our nurses and neonatologists, seeing these children running, laughing, and thriving brings tremendous joy and reminds us of why we do this.”
Those gathered on Saturday enjoyed barbecue dinners from Tay’s Barbecue, a petting zoo, games in the outdoor courtyard, a photo booth, visits with Dogwood Trail Maids from Baldwin County, and more.
