2023 Contest Winners

Meet the winners! Here are the category winners of the 2023 NICU Grad Then & Now Photo Contest that were featured in the Then & Now 2024 Calendar. Enjoy the winning photographs and stories of these NICU graduates. Congratulations to all the 2023 category winners!


Hospital: St. David's Medical Center, Texas

Rich was born at 24 weeks gestation due to HELLP syndrome. He only weighed 15 ounces and was 1 inches long at birth and was in the NICU for 128 days. His strength is inspirational. He is an old soul, and a joy to be around. He's won medals in swimming, and when he's not in the pool, he's playing with his bulldog Chuck Roast. Rich is very smart and quick to tell a joke. We couldn't be more proud of our fighter. His strength and perseverance are unmatched. He does not quit.



Hospital: Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, California

Miah was born at 23 weeks, 1 day weighing 1 lb, 2 oz and stayed in the NICU for 131 days. She was on a ventilator for 2 months, had patent ductus arteriosus ligation surgery at 1 month, and had retinopathy of prematurity. Miah is a living miracle, an answered prayer, and a wish that came true. Watching her grow, thrive, and reach milestones is so inspiring to everyone who knows about her birth and NICU journey. When we were told that it was IMPOSSIBLE for her to survive, Miah changed it to, "I'M POSSIBLE." I am so proud of her!



Hospital: INOVA Children's, Virginia

I have lupus, and Dallas is a miracle baby. I went in for a c-section, and while I was fighting for my life, he was not breathing and was fighting for his. But we pulled through when the odds were stacked completely against us. Dallas is such a happy baby. He is fearless, smart, funny and spends his days laughing and playing with his fur siblings. I pray he continues to live his life unapologetically and fearlessly. He is truly beautifully and wonderfully made!



Hospital: Women & Infants, Rhode Island

Declan came blazing into this world 8 weeks early and spent 52 days in the NICU. Due to the pandemic, visitation. was restricted, which made the journey more challenging. The support of our NICU team meant more than they know. The experience taught us to embrace each moment with vigor. We are proud of Declan's preemie spirit because it continues to shine on a daily basis. He was made to show everyone that small things are strong too. No obstacle will ever be too big.



Hospital: Atrium Health Cabarrus, North Carolina

I was a NICU respiratory therapist and ended up having Koraline at 26 weeks in the NICU that I worked in. She has been a complete rockstar from the beginning! We spent 76 days in the NICU, and she came home on oxygen for a short time. You would never know how bumpy her start was from looking at her now. We appreciate beyond words all the NICU staff who cared for her! She is the most determined, stubborn, beautiful little girl. She has the attitude that there is nothing that she cannot overcome.



Hospital: Dell Children's Medical Center, Texas Anastassia was in the NICU for a total of 284 days and had 19 surgeries. Our NICU journey was long and hard, because she contracted bacterial meningitis twice which led to her many surgeries and several delays. Although she is a micro preemie and meningitis survivor with epilepsy, hydrocephalus, and cerebral palsy, she continues to defeat all odds. She makes me proud every day with the way she loves life and how resilient she is. She never has a bad day despite all of her diagnoses.



Hospital: Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas

Jalil was born at 28 weeks, 2.3lbs, and spent 82 days in the NICU. He had laser surgery at 2 months due to ROP, but miraculously he has had no other complications. None of this has stopped him from lighting up a room with his loving, nurturing, entertaining spirit when he comes around. He loves everything space-related and can name all of the planets, tell you about stars, black holes, galaxies, and more. Although it's been a complicated journey, Jalil's spirit and energy makes it all worth it.



Hospital: Mercy Hospital, Missouri

Vivien was born at 22 weeks and 4 days. After losing her twin brother, she fought hard for her life, and she is a complete miracle. She spent 157 days in the NICU, showing her spunky personality.

She had 2 surgeries while in the NICU, and we spent many days thinking she wouldn't survive! She now is all caught up developmentally and doing amazing. She is the sweetest, most compassionate little girl I know. She is resilient, and even though she may be small, she is so mighty!



Hospital: Cardinal Glennon, Illinois

After a near perfect pregnancy and delivery, within minutes of being born, Tristen coded and lost the ability to breathe on her own. We spent a week with no answers as to why she was in critical condition. We were told countless times we may never take her home. We finally learned that she was born with group B strep, one of the leading causes of full-term newborn fatalities. While the first 30 days of her life were rough, this year she graduated from 8th grade with Honors! She has never once stopped proving every statistic wrong.



Hospital: Women & Infants, Rhode Island

Layla was born at 26 weeks due to severe preeclampsia. She weighed 1lb, 2 oz and was in the NICU for 4 long months. Although it was a rollercoaster journey, Layla taught us so much as new parents. She amazes us with her beautiful voice, singing all over the house. Layla has the kindest heart and is growing into an amazing young lady. Her 4-year-old sister is deaf, and Layla is her biggest supporter and was so excited to learn sign language. I am so proud of how she loves others.



Hospital: Baylor University Medical Center, Texas

Eddie was born at 23 weeks, 2 days, weighing 1lb, 7 oz. He came home on his due date after 118 days in the NICU. Today he is in high school, loves animals, cars and spending his time working towards becoming an Eagle Scout. Eddie has undergone things most adults have never even experienced in their lifetime. He is a brave fighter and is living proof miracles really do exist. He overcame so many setbacks early on, yet that has never stopped him from trying his best and succeeding.



Hospital: Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Kansas

Kyley was born with gastroschisis and spent 10 and a half weeks in the NICU with many ups and downs. It was one heck of a rollercoaster ride. She battled hard to learn to eat. She taught me strength I didn't know I had. There was never a day she gave up fighting. I truly believe the struggles she battled in her younger years have helped mold her into the amazing, strong, independent, outgoing and outspoken young lady she is today! To be her momma is the highest honor I ever could have been blessed with.



Hospital: Lexington Medical Center, South Carolina

Kelsey was born at 28 weeks and weighed a little more than 3lbs. She was able leave the NICU and join her family at home once she reached 4lbs. Inspired by her start in life, Kelsey entered the nursing program at Clemson University where she graduated with honors. Kelsey accepted a position and continues to inspire others as a Registered Nurse at the Vanderbilt NICU.



Hospital: St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Michigan

Cayla was born on March 16th, 2004, at 28.5 weeks, weighing only 2lbs 12 oz. Born with numerous health problems, her first few weeks in the NICU were uncertain. Cayla was placed in our hearts on April 19th, 2004. She had several health complications and her future was unknown. We fell in love with her instantly. We officially adopted her on November 22, 2005. She still faced many challenges, but she was our daughter, and we vowed to advocate for her throughout her lifetime!