Babies born at Chester County Hospital's Moore Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can spend anywhere from a day, to weeks or sometimes even months there. No matter the amount of time, and although the patients are tiny, the bonds built are larger than life. Koryse Woodrooffe, MD has experience on both sides of this bond as an Attending Neonatologist and a proud parent of a Chester County Hospital NICU graduate.
"When I became a NICU parent myself it put a lot of things in perspective. I didn’t realize how strong that bond would be and how much a parent connects with their NICU team. Since then I’ve become a champion to make sure that our team is a support to the FAMILY. Not only are we a Neonatal unit, but we are also a Neonatal PARENTING unit," says Dr.Woodroffe. "Everything we do is focused on the family as that is what is going to help them the most long-term."
By the time families leave the NICU they feel empowered and confident to care for their babies on their own and although they leave the hospital, the connection to their babies' care team doesn’t stop. In early 2021, a private Facebook group was created where NICU graduate families can share photos of their children as they continue to grow. This allows the NICU teams to witness the lasting impact of the care they provide and allows fellow NICU families to bond over their experiences.
To take this connection one step further, nurse Ashley Knowles decided to take the lead in planning a NICU reunion event so past families and staff could connect in person. "Of all the jobs I've had working in the NICU and planning this reunion this has been the most rewarding," said Knowles. After months of planning and coordinating the event was finally able to take place on Sunday, May 22, 2022.
Graduate NICU families, nurses, doctors, volunteers, and staff were invited to gather safely outside at the West Goshen Community Park to reconnect and celebrate their "Tiny to Mighty" superheroes. Over 60 yard signs lined the park pathway showing "then and now" photos of NICU graduates. Lots of hugs, smiles and laughter filled the park as over 200 people gathered to celebrate how far these families have come.
Dr.Woodroffe said: "I'm just looking at all these babies and remembering all their stories. They come back to you. You don't forget anyone."
Nicole Christy attended with her husband Dave and daughter Charlie, who was born at 34 weeks. But their NICU journey started before that.
"In October 2019, our son Cole was born at 24 weeks. I didn't even know that babies that small had a chance. But of course, he did at Chester County Hospital's NICU. They gave us the gift of 24 days with our son. It's the best gift I've ever gotten," Christy shared.
A few years after the loss of Cole, the Christy family welcomed their rainbow baby, Charlie. During a welcome speech at the Reunion, Christy remarked: "Everyone said, 'Isn’t that heart-wrenching to go back to the NICU?' I said 'no' because I cannot leave here without the help of all these amazing nurses and doctors. We were there for about 19 days, and she has been thriving ever since."
Christy added "No matter what the situation is, leaving the NICU without your child is heart-wrenching. It was so much easier for us to know that these people were taking care of our kids. They were their second parents." In closing, Christy shared: "You gave us the gift of taking care of our two amazing kids like they were your own and we are forever grateful."
As grateful hearts gathered it was evident that no parent plans to need the support of the NICU. But if you and your child do, you can be sure that the NICU at Chester County Hospital will prioritize your family and build a lasting bond as your child grows tiny to mighty from the NICU and beyond!
For generations, Chester County Hospital has been devoted to caring for every mom, baby, and family who delivers their new bundle of love at the hospital. Their passion for maternity care is backed by state-of-the-art facilities and resources. From the Labor and Delivery Unit to a modern Mother and Baby Pavilion, to the Level III NICU — staffed 24/7 by physicians from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the #2 ranked children’s hospital in the nation — to the childbirth preparation and nationally recognized lactation care, they are committed to making the life-changing experience of pregnancy and delivery the best one possible.
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About Chester County Hospital
Founded in 1892 as the county's first hospital, the non-profit has grown into a 329-bed acute-care inpatient facility in West Chester, PA. Chester County Hospital has outpatient services in Exton, West Goshen, New Garden, West Grove, Jennersville and Kennett Square, PA. In 2013, Chester County Hospital became part of Penn Medicine, which is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to medical education, biomedical research, and excellent patient care. In addition to quality-driven medical and surgical services, Chester County Hospital also offers home health, hospice, and skilled nursing care; occupational medicine; outpatient laboratory, radiology, and physical therapy services; wound care; cardiopulmonary rehab; and a prenatal clinic for the underserved. In 2020, Chester County Hospital completed the largest expansion in its history. The project welcomed a state-of-the-art procedural platform with 15 operating room suites, a 99-bed patient tower, a new main entrance, and an expanded and renovated Emergency Department. Learn More About Chester County Hospital!