Halloween reunion brings NICU graduates back to celebrate

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Covenant Health hosted its annual Halloween reunion party Tuesday night, welcoming back former patients from the neonatal intensive care unit who have grown into healthy children.

The event brought together doctors, nurses and staff with NICU graduates from over the years, including children like Ophelia Ryan, who was born prematurely.

“She was here for almost 6 months so we are so thankful and overcome with emotions that we have this here as a resource,” Ophelia’s mom Jasmine said.

The reunion allows caregivers to see the long-term impact of their work with the hospital’s smallest patients.

“I think this past year we saw 500 babies,” Mariah Ybarra, a NICU nurse, said.

Celebration highlights patient outcomes

For medical staff, the event provides an opportunity to celebrate with families who faced significant challenges during their NICU stay.

“Seeing them and the battles that they had to deal with in the NICU, it’s just amazing to be able to celebrate that with them here,” Sandra Vasquez, a NICU nurse, said.

Dr. Aric Sparks, a neonatologist, said the reunion reinforces why medical professionals choose to work in neonatal care.

“But to see them coming back and thriving, see their parents, the happy faces, I mean, it’s the whole reason we do what we do,” Sparks said.

Covenant plans to host its annual carnival Friday for current hospital patients to ensure they can also enjoy Halloween activities.