Four HCA Midwest Health NICUs welcome Santa's 16th annual "Holiday of Hope" visit

Research Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center and Overland Park Regional Medical Center welcome the Kansas City Mavericks, Santa and Buddy the Elf to spread holiday cheer to families of critically ill babies.

Santa and Buddy the Elf made their 16th annual visit to spread holiday cheer to families of tiny, critically ill preemies at four HCA Midwest Health neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Overland Park Regional Medical Center neonatologist Rob Holcomb, MD, reprised his role of Santa. Each preemie received a photo with Santa and their baby(ies). In partnership with the Kansas City Mavericks, the “Holiday of Hope” event provides good cheer, hope and a holiday meal to make this time of year more special, despite the challenges they may face.

Owned by the Lamar Hunt Jr. family, the Kansas City Mavericks has sponsored the event for ten years, and for profoundly personal reason. Hunt’s daughter, Sarah Hunt Arkell, and her husband, James, know the life-changing experience of having a newborn in a NICU. As a former NICU family, the couple spent five emotionally charged weeks keeping vigil over their critically ill son, Michael, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center Level III NICU as neonatal experts and specialists nurtured and nourished him.

“Sarah and I look forward to this event every year as an opportunity to show our gratitude to the caregivers who positively impacted Michael and our family’s lives,” James Arkell said. “Michael is changing the world by touching so many lives, so paying it forward for families going through the difficult journey, is important to us. This is the perfect time of year to show and tell them that life gets better.”

“On behalf of the Kansas City Mavericks, I’m pleased that we can once again assist with providing joy and comfort during the holidays,” Hunt said. “Overland Park Regional Medical Center’s NICU was there for our family, and we are honored to recognize their efforts — along with those of the Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, and Research Medical Center NICUs.”

“The holidays are a poignant time for families to have babies in the NICU,” said Overland Park Regional Medical Center Level III NICU Medical Director Thomas Lancaster, MD, neonatologist. “HCA Midwest Health’s NICUs and our physicians and nurses nurture and nourish the tiniest and sickest of babies. Part of our mission is to minister to families and help create positive, lasting memories, especially during the holidays.”

“This event means more to me each year,” said Robert Holcomb, MD, neonatologist and HCA Midwest Health Transport Services Medical Director. “This isn’t just a meaningful gift to our babies and their families. Today was incredibly special to our physicians, caregivers, staff and me. My role as Santa is truly my favorite day of the year, bringing love, memories, and finally a smile to our families who have been through so much.”

Donutology, Culver’s and The Big Biscuit donated food to the families, and to the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Brett Pruitt, well-known photographer, and award-winning photographer Jessica Strom captured preemies' first photos with Santa as their Christmas gift to families. The Blue Valley Choir serenaded families, staff and visitors, softly singing Christmas carols. The young students were met with great appreciation and tears of joy.

HCA Midwest Health is Kansas City’s largest healthcare and NICU provider, caring for more critically ill newborns than any other area healthcare system in the region.