Birmingham, Alabama – Some patients at Children’s of Alabama are embracing the Halloween spirit ahead of schedule, as parents of children in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) dress their little ones in festive costumes. The initiative aims to bring a sense of normalcy to families during their hospital stays.
Courtney Lawless, a nurse in the CVICU, expressed the positive impact of these early celebrations. “It is refreshing and encouraging for families to have a sense of normalcy inside the hospital as if they were at home,” Lawless stated. “This gives hope to both the families and staff here at the hospital who can see them enjoy Halloween.”
On Halloween, the nursing staff in the cardiovascular unit plans to enhance the festivities by dressing up as characters from a popular children’s movie, creating a joyful atmosphere for the young patients.
In addition to the CVICU, this year, patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will also be joining in the fun by donning costumes inspired by beloved book characters. Nurses in the NICU have made this an annual tradition, but this year’s theme is particularly meaningful as it aligns with the hospital’s NICU Bookworm program, established in 2021 to strengthen the parent-infant bond and encourage reading.
Lexie Brown, a nurse in the NICU, highlighted the emotional significance of the event. “For parents, seeing their babies dressed up for Halloween makes it easier for them while they are going through a difficult time,” Brown noted. “It also brings a little joy and happiness into their lives.”
The efforts of the staff and families at Children’s of Alabama demonstrate the power of community and creativity in bringing light and hope to children during their medical journeys.
