Connect

This is the latest installment in our Connect article series “Hope at Work” — showcasing inspiring stories about how our team members contribute to UVA Health’s 10-year strategic plan: “One Future Together Health and Hope for All.” No matter where you work, you have an opportunity to inspire hope in others. These stories show how:

Cooper Hitt turned a year old during Neonatal Intesive Care Unit (NICU) Awareness Month in September, and his mother credits UVA Health Children’s NICU with helping him reach that milestone. He was born at only 23 weeks' gestation — weighing one pound, nine ounces. 

Cooper spent 200 days in the hospital. 

“He’s the happiest baby and loves exploring new things!” beams his mother, Allison Hitt, who made the one-and-a-half-hour drive all the way from Fauquier County, Virginia, back to Charlottesville for the 2025 UVA Health Children’s NICU Reunion at Darden Towe Park on Oct. 4 during Children's Health Month.

‘Best of the Best’ 

“The care at UVA Health Children’s NICU is unmatched! The talent of the professionals who care for NICU patients is the best of the best!" Allison hails. "I am so proud to say Cooper is a UVA Health Children’s NICU alum. We couldn’t have been more excited to connect at the reunion with other families who share similar stories to ours. We were especially thrilled to reconnect with Cooper’s amazing care team and show off his progress!” 

Allison and Cooper are among the 450 or so people who took part. NICU graduates ranging in age from a few months old — to up to 29-years-old — and their loved ones enjoyed many activities including: 

• Albemarle County ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles
• UVA Health Newborn Emergency Transport System (NETS) truck 
• UVA Health Children’s NICU expansion renderings
• UVA Health pet therapy dogs 
• Petting zoo
• Balloon animal art
• Bennett’s Village crafts 
• Face painting
• Photos with Disney princesses
• Moo Thru Ice Cream and other snacks 

‘Miracles and Resilience’ 

Cultivating healthy communities, NICU team members excitedly reconnected with hundreds of families! “It’s a cherished time for our team members to come back together with any UVA Health Children’s NICU grad and their family to celebrate tremendous miracles and resilience,” says Hannah Fox, MS, RNC-NIC, NICU Inpatient Charge Nurse, who’s helped organize four reunions. 

“As a nurse who cared for the tiny, fragile babies in the NICU, being able to see them all grown up and thriving outside of the NICU is so rewarding!," says Kendra McLaughlin, BSN, RN (pictured on the right with Cooper Hitt at the reunion), who’s helped organize two of these events. “Our NICU reunion allows us to reconnect with not only the patients, but their families as well who we also spent so much time with during their stay. It’s a great reminder of why we do what we do — and why we love our role so much!  

Leaders in attendance included UVA Health University Medical Center Chief Operating Officer Min Lee, MBA, MHA, and newly-announced interim Chief of UVA Health Children's Jason Lineen, MBA.

Kudos all around for the reunion and UVA Health Children’s NICU: 

• “The team members were always amazing for the 60+ days we were there!” 
• “My teenager is a 2 lbs. 12 oz. graduate.” 
• “So thankful for all the nurses and other team members who helped my boys!” 
• “You all are amazing! Thanks for saving my son!” 
• “My 2 pounder will be a teenager soon!” 
• “Without God and the care of the UVA Health Children’s NICU, my preemie twins wouldn’t be here today.” 
• “My sweet preemie is turning 20!” 

On Oct. 7, U.S. News and World Report announced UVA Health Children’s ranks as the No. 1 children’s hospital in Virginia for the fifth consecutive year in a row, with neonatology (critical care for infants) among the nine ranked specialties. Thank you to all our team members who are supporting community engagement and health outcomes!