November 17, 2025 – In recognition of National Prematurity Awareness Month, Broward Health Medical Center recently hosted a heartfelt Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) reunion, bringing together 14 NICU graduates and their families with the neonatologists, nurses and lactation specialists who cared for them during their earliest, most vulnerable days.

“Some of these babies were born weighing just one pound at 23 weeks, barely halfway through pregnancy, and now they are strong and thriving,” said Dr. Johnny Tryzmel, medical director of the NICU at Broward Health Medical Center. “It’s an emotional day for all of us. These reunions remind us that all the intervention and care truly matter. Most importantly, we become a family.”

The reunion welcomed former NICU graduates ranging from teenagers visiting the Level III NICU hospital for the first time in years to infants who had been discharged only months earlier.

NICU mother Jenyffer Feliz shared her story about her twin daughters, born at 25 weeks in 2015. “This journey has helped us discover the precious value of life,” she said. “They were just 1 pound each, but with the amazing team of nurses and doctors, along with our faith and family support, we got through it. Now, 10 years later, they’re healthy and thriving.”

The event, presented by March of Dimes, included a special activity where families left handprints on an art piece for the NICU family lounge, a symbol of hope and resilience for current NICU patients and their loved ones.

The reunion aimed to foster a supportive community among families, encouraging them to connect and lean on one another. Broward Health is proud to participate in the March of Dimes NICU Family Support® program at Broward Health Medical Center, providing education and ongoing support to families during their NICU journey.