Child's Birth Year
1996

State/Province/Territory
Iowa

NICU Hospital for my journey
University of Iowa NICU

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Katie is a surviving twin, sister of Anna Marie. Born the day before Thanksgiving at 25 weeks at 1.5 pounds, the girls had a rough start. We lost Anna after just 5 days. Katie was in the level 3 NICU for 3.5 months, and despite a setback of RSV there, she was able to transfer to a level 2 NICU in our town for another month. She came home near her due date, St. Patrick's Day, and remained on nasal cannula for about a year. From there she began to thrive and surpass all milestones, in time!

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Katie is not only a survivor, but a thriver! We would have given anything to see a story like hers! Katie has her masters in Anthropology, is a talented artist, a trumpet player, an avid runner, and has an abundance of travels and adventures under her belt. She has climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro, speaks Italian after a study abroad, marched in the University of Missouri marching band in Dublin on St. Patrick's Day, excavated a dig in Greece, and continues to search for new travels. Not bad for someone who spent her first year on oxygen! Her brave adventurous spirit continues to amaze us at every turn. She currently works and as a senior talent acquisition analyst and sourcing professional at the corporate level.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
1 lb 8 oz

Weeks Gestation
25 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
3 Months 19 Days