News — Each year, the Loyola University Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses helped their tiny patients celebrate their first Halloween by creating handmade costumes. This year's theme was classic Halloween, which included ghosts, bats, pumpkins, and even a few Ghost Busters. Photos of the babies in costume are available here:
“We have an overwhelmingly positive response to this celebration," said Maggie Jones, RN, a Loyola NICU nurse for more than 33 years. “Having a baby in the NICU can be very stressful and this celebration allows parents to enjoy this experience with their little one.”
The entire department is decorated in theme with spider webs and plenty of candy. The Halloween event creates a festive, fun environment in a place that can feel frightening for parents and loved ones. Loyola's nurses are committed to helping families feel at home as they care for their little ones. This celebration offers a unique opportunity for parents to see their little ones engage in the holiday and share some fun photos with friends and family who may not be able to meet them yet.
NICU parent Jillian Turner said that Loyola's compassionate NICU staff makes it easier for her to leave her little one at the hospital. "First day was really hard to leave, but seeing how he is being taken care of here. It is allowing us to be able to walk away, knowing that he is in good hands."
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About Loyola Medicine
, a member of , is a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system based in Chicago's western suburbs. The three-hospital system includes (LUMC), , , as well as convenient locations offering primary care, specialty care and immediate care services from more than 1,500 physicians throughout Cook, Will and DuPage counties. Loyola is a 547-licensed-bed hospital in Maywood that includes the , the , the John L. Keeley, MD, Emergency Department, a Level 1 , Illinois's largest , a and a . Having delivered compassionate care for over 50 years, Loyola also trains the next generation of caregivers through its academic affiliation with Loyola University Chicago’s and . Established in 1961, Gottlieb is a 247-licensed-bed community hospital in Melrose Park with the Judd A. Weinberg Emergency Department, the and the , , a transitional care center, and . MacNeal is a 374-licensed-bed teaching hospital in Berwyn with advanced medical, surgical and psychiatric services and a 68-bed behavioral health program.
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About Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 123,000 colleagues and nearly 27,000 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 26 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 88 hospitals, 135 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 136 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. In fiscal year 2023, the Livonia, Michigan-based health system invested $1.5 billion in its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit us at , or follow us on , and .