UPMC Celebrates Its Littlest Graduates for a Joyful NICU Reunion

HARRISBURG, PA. (July 31, 2025) – Former patients of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) reunited with the nurses and staff at the NICU Reunion Pajama Party on Tuesday night. The event was organized by UPMC Magee-Womens and UPMC Children’s in Central Pennsylvania, with support from the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation. The reunion celebrated NICU graduates from 2022.

“Seeing these young children flourish is incredibly inspiring,” said Abby Flanders, executive administrator, Pediatric Service Line, UPMC in Central Pa. “At UPMC, our commitment is to deliver outstanding care to families across the region. That mission is achieved by the unwavering dedication and expertise of our NICU team, who go above and beyond for our patients every day.”

Held at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, the reunion gave former patients of the NICU units at UPMC Carlisle, UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Lititz and UPMC Memorial, the chance to visit with providers and nurses. Kids were happy to explore exhibits, including KidsPlace, Carnival of Health, and the Backstage Studio. There were art and craft projects, story time, and videos for the little ones on the giant screen in the Digital Cinema.

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital continues to lead in neonatal care by emphasizing family-centered support for families navigating the challenges of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With advanced medical technologies and a multidisciplinary team of specialists, the NICU is designed to provide critical care for the region’s most vulnerable newborns.

UPMC Children’s in Harrisburg offers 72 beds dedicated to infants, children, adolescents and teens, providing acute and critical inpatient pediatric care. UPMC brings nationally ranked care from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to families in central Pennsylvania, with direct access to its specialists when needed.

In 2024, more than 6,000 babies were delivered at UPMC Magee-Womens in central Pennsylvania, while the NICU units treated close to 600 severely or critically ill babies.

For more information about UPMC services in central Pennsylvania, visit UPMC.com/CentralPa.

Photo Cutlines

NICU Reunion 1 – Double the joy – Devin Velez and her twins return to celebrate with their NICU family.

NICU Reunion 2 - Abby Flanders, executive administrator, Pediatric Service Line, UPMC in Central Pa. reads to the children during story time.

NICU Reunion 3 - Shaneice Felder, Eddie Hill and Zara Hill were happy to be part of the reunion. 

NICU Reunion 4 – Hands full and hearts fuller – celebrating memories at the UPMC NICU reunion.

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