Texas Children’s Fetal Center celebrates 400 miracles at patient reunion

December 1, 2015

On November 14, hundreds of families from around the country traveled to Houston to attend Texas Children’s Fetal Center family reunion. Since its inaugural event in 2007, the reunion provided an opportunity for physicians and staff to reunite with patient families who received life-saving medical and surgical care at our fetal center.

Nearly 420 families attended the event at the Houston Zoo – some traveling from Iowa, Louisiana, parts of Texas, and Monterrey, Mexico. Guests enjoyed face painting, dancing, sunglass craft, an animal experience where they got a chance to pet furry creatures, and in true Texas fashion, rodeo clowns.

The reunion has become a cherished experience for Fetal Center staff and patient families. Since many of these families spend extended periods of time with staff from Texas Children’s Fetal Center and Newborn Center, a special bond is formed between these patient families and the team members who treated them.

“The nurses and staff of the Fetal Center are the first point of contact for these families as they seek answers at a very difficult time in their lives,” said Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, co-director of Texas Children’s Fetal Center. “The nurturing and compassionate care offered by the fetal team helps get many of these families through the rough patches. The bonds formed in the midst of challenges and adversity are those that are the tightest, strongest and most enduring.”

In collaboration with our Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists, the Fetal Center specializes in cutting edge medical and surgical care for the sickest of fetuses and neonates. Despite the challenging work involved, seeing these children thrive and the gratitude expressed by their parents and families, is what matters the most.

“We are always eager to catch up with our patients,” said Dr. Darrell Cass, co-director of Texas Children’s Fetal Center. “To see how these children are developing and enjoying their childhood is incredibly gratifying, especially when I consider that these thriving kids were once very sick.”

Highlights from the Fetal Center reunion included speeches from Drs. Olutoye, Cass and OB/Gyn Chief Dr. Michael A. Belfort. Other Fetal Center team members in attendance included Drs. Rodrigo Ruano, Wesley Lee and Nancy Ayres.