HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (August 18, 2022) A wild time awaits “graduates” of Forrest General Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as they gather with their families for a reunion. Set for Saturday, October 1, at the Hattiesburg Zoo, the event will take place from 5-8 p.m. in the Zoo’s Africa exhibit where Sue Ellen the giraffe and her calf, Alberta, will greet families along with other animals native to the continent.

This event will provide past patients and their families an opportunity to visit with NICU physicians and staff who became extended family for these young patients.

“Caring for premature and sick newborn babies is such a privilege for all doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and support staff in the NICU,” said neonatologist, Manika Sharma, MD. “The reunion offers us the opportunity to see our patients with whom we forged a special bond during such a difficult time in their lives. We invite any and all family of our patients who graduated from the FGH NICU to help us celebrate the unit and honor these amazing individuals.”

A partnership of FGH Women and Children’s