Overland Park Regional Medical Center hosts annual NICU reunion

Overland Park, KS — For some, it’s been a year or less; for other children, it’s been decades since their Overland Park Regional Medical Center NICU experience. This year’s reunion offered former patients, their parents, and siblings an opportunity to reconnect with many caregivers who became their extended families in the NICU. Several sets of multiples are expected to attend this year’s event.

“To see these kids thriving in life after experiencing a challenging start is inspiring and a powerful testament to the advanced technology and high-quality care our babies receive,” said Thomas Lancaster, MD, board-certified neonatologist at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. “Despite being born premature, underweight or ill, these kids, their families, and caregivers gather to celebrate life.”

“The NICU reunion is a celebration of the many tiny miracles that happen at Overland Park Regional Medical Center,” said Overland Park Regional Medical Center CEO Matt Sogard. “It’s an honor for us to be a part of our NICU graduates’ lives and build memories together.”

The Ogan family: Two NICU graduates (2017 & 2024)

Morgan Ogan and her husband, Derek, have had two NICU experiences at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The first was in 2017, when the couple’s first child, son Finnegan, was born at 36 weeks gestation. Born with low blood sugar, Finn was rushed to the NICU shortly after Morgan was brought to her recovery room. He spent seven days in the NICU.

“I knew nothing about the NICU or what that meant for my soon-to-be family of 3,” Morgan said. I will never forget being discharged and leaving the hospital without my baby for the first time.”

Remington, born in 2024 at 32 + 6 weeks gestation, was an automatic NICU admits based on his age. He had RDS (respiratory distress syndrome), which is fairly common in premature babies due to underdeveloped lungs. He spent 31 days in the NICU.

A mother's reflection

“When I was admitted with pre-eclampsia again, this time at 32+5, and told the next day we were delivering, I had an overwhelming wave of feelings,” said Morgan, who started working at Overland Park Regional Medical Center’s Fetal Health Center three years ago. “Naturally, I was terrified for my baby, knowing he still needed more time to grow, but I also had a sense of calm, knowing he would be in the best hands possible. There is a reason why, after my first delivery, I would tell people, ‘I will only ever deliver at OPRMC,’ and that main reason is because of the NICU.”

Morgan, Derek, and Finn have attended every NICU reunion held since 2018; this year will be Remi’s first NICU reunion experience.

“We love seeing the providers and staff that took care of our boys and celebrating our success stories and the other families,” Morgan said. “The last few reunions have been extra-special for me as I have seen my patients and their babies. Derek and I will forever remain thankful to the neonatologists, speech, PT, OT, and lactation teams for caring for me and our boys.”

“The strength of a tiny human is awe-inspiring”

“Both of our boys started their journeys in the NICU, and those experiences have made a permanent impact on me as a father,” Derek said. “Nearly seven years ago, after Finn’s birth, I stepped into the NICU for the first time. The beeping machines and the sight of my firstborn son hooked up to a multitude of wires and tubes are memories that remain vivid to this day. As a new father, I felt joy, fear, and helplessness. Even though Finn came four weeks early, he looked every bit like a full-term baby, and it was hard to understand why he needed to spend time in the NICU. The staff became our lifeline, guiding us through those uncertain early days. Looking back now, the week he spent in the NICU seems like a blur, but at the time, I would say it was the hardest week of my life.”

When Derek found himself back in familiar territory just five months ago, he recalls how the environment was familiar, but the circumstances were very different.

“Remi came seven weeks early and required a much longer stay in the NICU,” he said. “Having already had the experience of a NICU baby, the day-to-day aspects of life in the NICU were much easier to cope with. The hard part this time was trying to carry on with everything else in life while our baby wasn’t developed enough to come home yet and making time in the NICU a part of our daily routine.”

Derek reflects on the two NICU experiences and some important takeaways he will never forget.

“First, the strength of a tiny human is awe-inspiring. Second, support from medical staff, family, and fellow NICU parents is critical. Third, it’s okay to feel vulnerable and ask for help. Fourth, the value of each small milestone and victory,” he said.

“Our NICU experiences are now a part of our family's story, a challenging chapter, but one that ultimately speaks of hope, perseverance, and the incredible bond between parent and child.”