Santa made his highly anticipated annual visit to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Baptist Health Lexington this week, spreading holiday cheer to some of the hospital’s tiniest patients and their families.
The NICU transformed into a festive winter wonderland as Santa held each baby, creating a magical moment captured in heartwarming photos.
Holiday Cheer
Parents and staff joined in the celebration as the little ones were carried to meet Santa in his temporary headquarters on Nicholasville Road.
Santa visited the rooms of other children.
This cherished tradition brings joy and hope to families spending the holiday season in the NICU, reminding them that every milestone is worth celebrating.
Babies wore adorable hats made by NICU staff who worked on them throughout the year.
Volunteers made Christmas quilts and supplied holiday stockings that were sent home with the parents, said Elizabeth Miller, a secretary on the unit, who has been a part of this special day for most of the past eight years.
“I try to be here on Santa day because I love it so much,” said Miller. This year, she was on hand to help set up the backdrop and make sure everything was ready for Santa and the families.
Jack Patterson, a volunteer at Baptist Health Lexington since 2017, has been portraying Santa for about six years. “I love cuddling the babies,” he said.
Will he keep up Santa’s annual visits? “I’m only 86, so I might have another year or two,” Patterson replied with nod and a chuckle. “I just love it,” he added. “I love the babies, I love the parents, and I love the nurses.”
