Celebration for babies graduating from Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Nursery ICU

Preemies dress in caps and gowns as they head home with their families

(PHOENIX - May 24, 2023) - High school seniors aren’t the only ones wearing caps and gowns this week - so are babies graduating from the nursery ICU (NyICU) at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.

Milo Leyva is one of the babies who dressed in an adorable cap and gown as he bid farewell to St. Joseph’s NyICU. Not only is he a St. Joseph’s NyICU graduate, but so is his mother, Santana. She was born at St. Joseph’s in 1986 at just 26 weeks gestation.

“It is very special that my son and I are both St. Joseph’s NyICU alumni,” says Santana. “This hospital is very important and meaningful to our family. More than 30 years after St. Joseph’s NyICU doctors and nurses saved my life, they took incredible care of my baby boy and we are ready to celebrate life together at home!”

Although Milo and other NyICU graduates aren’t big enough to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas just yet, they have passed a series of important tests and developed crucial skills that they will carry with them throughout their life.

March of Dimes Arizona donated the adorable graduation gear as a way to celebrate the class of 2023. 

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Media Contact: Abby Kay (602)406-4734