News — LOS ANGELES -- ‘Twas the days before Christmas and a singing Santa Claus made the rounds at .
Santa wheeled a wagon through the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center campus as he brought toys to young patients and their siblings. Santa also sang holiday songs while cuddling the tiny babies in the . And he gifted parents with keepsake ornaments decorated with their baby’s name and footprints.
“It feels fantastic,” said Christine Silverman, whose one-week-old son, Murray, was in the NICU after being born prematurely.
NICU social worker Alva Gregorio, MSW, said parents were grateful for the opportunity to take a photo of their babies with Santa during their first Christmas, something many were afraid they would miss while being in the hospital.
“It brings a sense of normalcy to the families who have to be in the hospital during the holidays,” said one of the NICU social workers, who dressed as an elf and helped Santa deliver toys as part of the annual holiday tradition. “Some children worry Santa won’t find them because they are in the hospital, so seeing him here handing out gifts brings them great joy.”
, Cedars-Sinai Health System’s chief nursing executive, originated the medical center’s tradition of hosting Santa for an annual visit.
This year, Santa bore a very strong resemblance to Cedars-Sinai’s Gregory Eichelzer, DNP, RN, nursing innovation administrator, and sounded like him too, as he sang holiday standards such as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The First Noel.”
Before he became a nurse, Eichelzer was a professional singer who performed on Broadway and toured the U.S. with productions of “Annie” and “Grease.” While his performances earned high marks from parents, Eichelzer’s baritone had a decidedly different effect on much of his audience as he lulled babies to sleep.
Santa ended his visit to Guerin Children’s with season’s greetings to patients, families and staff. “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year to all.”
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