18th annual neonatal reunion Aug. 28

DOWNERS GROVE – More than 800 attendees will reunite “Under the Big Top” at the 18th annual Neonatal Reunion at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.

This year the annual event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 28 from 1 to 4 pm on the hospital campus where entertainment, games, prizes and food will serve up to 18 years of NICU graduates and their families.

One NICU alumni family will join the reunion for a special return. Baby Martin Huerta, Jr. was born 3 months before his due date and had a 50/50 chance of survival. After a long healing and growth process, Martin was discharged on his original due date of Dec. 22, 2010, just in time for his first Christmas.

“The reunion is all about these families building relationships with their doctors and nurses who helped them when they were in Good Samaritan's NICU,” added Dr. Thaker, “It is such a joy to see the children who were so fragile and weak, now strong, grown up and heading to college.”

Cheeseburger in Paradise, of Downers Grove, has agreed once again to generously donate their time, delicious food and even cook-out on the day of the event for all the guests.

“We are so grateful to our sponsor, Cheeseburger in Paradise, who has been a long time sponsor of this event,” said Peggy Farrell, NICU/Pediatric manager at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Christina Bourque is this year's Babies First Honoree. As a registered nurse in the NICU at Good Samaritan Hospital, Bourque is recognized for her outstanding service and support to all the NICU families. Not only does she show compassion everyday in her work, but in 2010 Bourque donated her kidney to a family in need.

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital is committed to providing excellent care and a high level of service. Over the past 30 years, it has evolved from a 333-bed community hospital to a recognized leader in health care. Deemed one of the nation's 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals and a 100 Top Hospital by Thomson Reuters, Good Samaritan Hospital is the only health care organization in the nation to earn the prestigious 2010 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Good Samaritan Hospital features DuPage County's only Level I trauma center and a certified Level III neonatal intensive care unit. The hospital is noted for cancer care, women and children's services and surgical services and has received the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet® designation, the highest honor and level of recognition awarded to nursing excellence in national and international health care. Good Samaritan Hospital is part of Advocate Health Care, a Top 10 health care system in the country for three consecutive years according to Thomson Reuters.