Boston Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Hosts Reunion For Former Patients

BOSTON (CBS) - At Boston Medical Center, a sterile building is transformed into a room of laughter and love when dozens of nurses and doctors get to see former patients all grown up.

The hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) hosted its first reunion in more than 10 years Saturday at the Shapiro Ambulatory Care Center. Boston Medical invited hundreds of families back to the hospital, most had a child born at least two months early.

Dee McKinnon, a mother of triplets, jumped at the chance to reunite her 7-year-old daughters with Dr. Alan Fujii and his team of nurses.

"They were really like the most wonderful family members," said McKinnon, who spent about 10 weeks getting to know the staff while her triplets grew to the point where they could go home.

"I thought they would do all right, but they gave us a little run for our money," said Dr. Fujii, the medical director of the NICU. "Today is like an overdose of good things."

The massive party was the brainchild of NICU nurses, who spent a year planning arts and crafts, games, face painting and refreshments. The staff hopes to host another reunion in three years.