LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital hosted their Bayou Bash NICU Reunion in Moncus Park, celebrating babies who once spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Now, those former NICU babies are now reuniting with the doctors and nurses once cared for them. At the event, families enjoyed music, snacks and activities all while reconnecting with the healthcare teams who once stood by their side on their most difficult days.

Jessica Nezat, a NICU nurse at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, says it’s been years since there was in NICU reunion in Lafayette, but today was the perfect time to bring them back.

“They used to do a lot of NICU reunions, it’s kind of been a few years since they had done one,” said Nezat. “We all kind of really excited to be able to do get all our NICU graduates back together and kind of visit with all the nurses, all the providers and visit with each other, so it’s just a fun way to get everyone out and have fun.”

Registered nurse, Ian Conlee, says the long hours he spent in the NICU created strong bonds with families that can last a lifetime.

“We made bonds with them regardless of how long they’re here, but the ones that are here longer, we grow, we were pretty much a part of their family, they’ve become a part of our family, so being able to meet them again and rebond is an amazing thing to see, and how far they’ve come in life,” said Conlee.

Jada and Trey Braman attended the NICU reunion. The couple’s twin boys were born premature, at just 28 weeks. Both boys also faced some challenges along the way with underdeveloped lungs, heart issues and hernia surgery. But now, those tiny fighters are two years old and thriving.

“Those early days were really, really scary for us seeing them hooked up,” said Jada. “Both of them had been on ventilators at different points in their stay, and for them to just be typical almost two-year-old boys, it’s really amazing to see.”

Jada says her family owes everything to the Our Lady of Lourdes team for giving her twin boys a fighting chance.

“It means a lot just to come back together after almost two years of our babies being home, my boys wouldn’t be here without the support of the whole entire staff, we love each and every one of you,” said Jada.

Nezat says she is grateful for the chance to do what she loves and help the tiniest patients when they need it most.

“We all started here fresh out of nursing school I think,” said Nezat. “To be a NICU nurse, it has to be a passion, so we all really love our jobs and I’m really grateful that we get to do our jobs.”

Organizers say they plan to make the NICU reunion an annual event starting next year.

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