NICU carnival and reunion celebrates graduates and their families

For decades, the unit has been a lifeline for the smallest, sickest infants and their parents

Last Saturday, graduates of the UCI Health Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their families returned to UCI Health — Orange to celebrate and share their gratitude at the UCI Health NICU Reunion Carnival.

The state-of-the-art NICU was there for two California families when their newest members of the family arrived much earlier than expected. They recently joined more than 500 graduates and family members to thank their care team at the carnival, which has been taking place for 50 years.

“The providers, including doctors and nurses, form a strong bond with NICU parents throughout the course of their stay,” said Dr. Cherry Uy, a neonatologist and medical director of the UCI Health NICU. “We have a common goal: ensure our babies are healthy and can go home as soon as possible.”

The McKinnon family

Mollie McKinnon was 23 weeks pregnant with her second child when she went to a local hospital for a pregnancy checkup.

An ultrasound revealed that she was already dilated, indicating her body was preparing to deliver her daughter Macie early.

McKinnon, a Brea resident, was sent to UCI Health — Orange because of its high level of expertise in maternal-fetal medicine and its capabilities treating the smallest and sickest infants. She was discharged after five days because there was no progress.

Then, at 24.5 weeks, her water broke. Macie was born weighing just 618 grams — a micropreemie.

She would stay in the NICU for three and a half months. Since it was during COVID-19, Mollie and her husband Ryan found it an especially lonely time.

“It was so isolating. We just went into our room and out,” she recalls of their visits with Macie. Older brother, Wyatt, was not allowed to visit.

The experience is why she now volunteers during monthly Miracle Hours in the NICU. “It’s a time for parents to step away from the bedside and build community with other NICU parents.”

Mollie also gives back to other families in the NICU as part of the Family Partnership Council, which meets monthly with NICU families to learn about their experiences and identify ways to change or improve.

She has already implemented a few ideas, including a graduation ceremony for babies going home and a journal for parents that they receive upon admission. Mollie kept two of her own from her stay.

Wyatt, now 7, often comes by the NICU during the events. He’s now old enough to understand what happened and why he couldn’t see his baby sister for a few months.

“He takes such good care of her. They have such a special bond,” Mollie beams. “He has always supported her and cheered her on.”

Today, Macie is a thriving kindergartener in a dual immersion Spanish-language program. She has met every milestone and impresses her care team. She just celebrated her five-year NICU graduation date.

“She is just rocking life.”

The Donadee family

In June 2018, Andrew, Kristen and their son Nate Donadee were getting in one last trip to the Magic Kingdom at Disneyland as a family of three before their newest member was to arrive.

Baby had other plans.

Kristen went into labor in the park, was rushed to UCI Health – Orange for delivery. Blake was born at 29 weeks weighing 2 pounds, 3 ounces.

“We were there for four weeks,” Kristen recalls. The family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House nearby so that they could visit Blake every day.

After three weeks, Blake was strong enough to be transferred to a hospital closer to their home in the Sacramento area.

“I wish she could have stayed at UCI Health the whole time,” Kristen says. “We loved our experience there. The nurses were incredible.”

Andrew agrees.

“The care was amazing. The nurses would fill up Kristen’s water when we visited, they helped us with parking.”

In honor of her birthplace, they even decorated Blake’s isolette in a Minnie Mouse theme.

Today, Blake, 8, loves to dance, sing and spend time with her older brother Nate, now 14.

About the UCI Health — Orange NICU

UCI Health –– Orange is home to one of two Level III NICUs in Orange County that specialize in caring for the smallest of the premature infants and infants born of multiple gestations. It is the first NICU in Orange County and the second in California to receive the Beacon Award for Excellence, the top recognition from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

The advanced level of care allows specialists to treat complex conditions close to home, reducing the need for transfers to distant facilities. The UCI Health NICU team cares for premature and critically ill newborns using advanced technology, coordinated expertise and compassionate support for families — all hallmarks of an academic health system.

Families have access to comfortable waiting areas, a sibling playroom, overnight accommodations such as an overnight nesting room, Kangaroo Chairs designed for parent and child skin-to-skin holding in each room and more.