Memorial Hospital’s NICU celebrates 25 years

Memorial Hospital took a moment this afternoon during NICU Awareness Month to celebrate 25 years taking care of the tiniest patients on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Several Memorial neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and neonatal nurses gathered on the seventh floor of the hospital to celebrate the milestone.

Within the last five years, Memorial’s NICU was renovated and now features 23 beds and 12 semi-private rooms with 24/7 visiting hours.

As the only level three NICU in the area, Memorial offers the highest level of care to babies in the region.

Since the Memorial NICU opened, more than 7,000 babies have been cared for. One of which was Kourtlynn Cotten, who was a micro-preemie.  Her mother, Brandi Cotten, said, “No mother thinks about having a child pre-term. I felt like I was a physical, healthy, young lady and this just happened. And during the time I just felt like I did something wrong. I felt guilty. I was just sad. Like what did I do? I went to all my doctor’s appointments. I took all my pre-natals. But it’s just something that happens. And they were here to help me through it. I just feel like they’re family now. Anything they need, I need, they just really helpful. We’re just really a family.”

Kourtlynn spent three months in the NICU. Now, she just turned seven and is vibrant and healthy.