CHILDREN BORN PREMATURELY REUNITE WITH DOCTORS WHO SAVED THEIR LIVES AT HOLTZ CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Gabriella Mercedes Gil and her mother, Maruja Gil; Ashlyn, Bella Olson, and their mother, Jody Olson; other children treated in the Holtz NICU; Teresa Del Moral, M.D., UM/Holtz neonatologist; other NICU doctors, nurses and supporters

Doctors and nurses from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Holtz Children’s Hospital are celebrating the lives of children born prematurely and reuniting with them at the NICU Family Party. Children of all ages who have gone on to live healthy lives – some just months old, others who are teenagers – will join  with the doctors and nurses who helped save them and cared for them. Former patients and their parents will walk the red carpet, have their photos taken and share stories with other families whose lives were touched by the Holtz NICU staff.

Among the former patients returning for the event is 4-year-old Gabriella Mercedes Gil, who was born four months early in March 2009. Weighing just over one pound, Gabriella had many life-threatening problems associated with extreme prematurity and was only given a 15 percent chance of survival. She spent eight months in the Holtz NICU. Gabriella is now an active child who enjoys playing with her parents.
  
Ashlyn Olson, 10, was born at Jackson Memorial Hospital at 27 weeks gestation, weighing only two pounds. She spent four months in the NICU – giving her lungs time to develop. Following her discharge, Ashlyn required physical, speech, breathing and cardiac therapy. Ashlyn’s younger sister, 5-year-old Bella, was also born premature at 29 weeks. Bella spent nearly three months in the Holtz NICU. Ashlyn now enjoys sharing her story and giving hope to parents whose babies were born prematurely.

December

05, 2013, 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Jackson Memorial Hospital
Clark Diagnostic Treatment Center
Room 259
Corner of Northwest 12th Avenue and 19th Street 
Miami, Florida 33136

*Media can park outside of the DTC