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Fifty years ago, Trinity Health opened the doors to its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), beginning a half-century of specialized care for the region’s smallest and most vulnerable patients. Since then, countless families have trusted the NICU team to provide expert care, comfort and support during some of the most critical moments of their lives.

As we celebrate 50 years of NICU care, we honor not only the dedicated providers and caregivers who have made a difference for thousands of babies, but also the families whose strength and love have been at the heart of every journey. This milestone is not only about looking back on the past five decades, but also about celebrating the connections, stories and lives that continue to inspire the work happening today.

When the NICU first opened its doors 50 years ago, it looked nothing like the advanced unit families see today. The space was small and there were not many technological advances yet, but the commitment to caring for newborns was just as strong then as it is now. Linda Schaefer, RN, who has been with the NICU since day one, remembers those early days well.

“We were in one small room with three or four isolettes. There were not as many supportive services as there are now, but it was a good experience,” Schaefer said. “We took care of a lot of babies, even though staffing and resources were not always easy, with it being a new field.”

Schaefer added, “Back then, it was everybody in the same room. Now, all the babies have their own private rooms, or twins and triplets can be together in the same rooms. We didn’t have families visiting as often or staying with the babies, which was different.”

Family involvement is one aspect that has changed drastically since the NICU’s early days. According to Schaefer, families used to have short visits back then compared to now, where families can be with their babies 24/7.

Along with those changes, NICU staffing has also evolved over the years. 50 years ago, pediatricians managed NICU infant care. Now, there are neonatologists on staff who specialize in NICU care. Additional resources like respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and dietary services are all available as essential parts of a newborn’s care plan.

While there have been many changes throughout the 50 years of NICU history at Trinity Health, there are values and traditions that have been a constant presence among NICU staff over the years. “Working as a team, communication, the values of caring, compassion and offering family-centered care, making sure the families are informed and welcomed,” Schaefer said.

Those values extend far beyond a baby’s time in the NICU. Many families return years later to reconnect with the caregivers who were there during those first fragile days. For Trinity Health staff, seeing former patients grow up and thrive is a powerful reminder of the impact their work has had across generations.

“It’s very touching to see the families when they return, to notice how the children have grown and to hear about all their achievements. We always wonder how they’re doing, and it’s so nice to see them,” Schaefer said.

But the story of the NICU is not only measured in the milestones of those who survive. It is also marked by the heartbreak of little ones lost along the way, moments that have left a lasting impression on both families and caregivers. Together, these joys and sorrows have woven a legacy of compassion, resilience and dedication — a legacy that will endure for generations.

“We also think about the ones who didn’t survive and know that we remember them, too,” Schaefer said. “Fifty years of the NICU is a great time to celebrate our successes and remember those who graduated, as well as those who didn’t make it. We always need to remember the ones we lost.”

As Trinity Health’s NICU marks this golden anniversary, it stands as a testament to the power of teamwork, compassion and innovation. What began as a small room with a few isolettes has expanded into a state-of-the-art unit that continues to set the standard for neonatal care in the region.

The 50-year milestone is a moment to celebrate the babies who have thrived, remember those who were lost, and honor the caregivers and families who have been part of every step along the way. Together, their stories form a legacy of love and resilience that will carry forward for years to come.