Twin brothers Greg and John Quiroz play games at the PREMIEre reunion while dressed in their clown Halloween costumes. John weighed 2 pounds, 7 ounces at birth and Greg weighed 2 pounds, 14 ounces. The boys celebrate their seventh birthdays in November.
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Children flooded the Health Science Center courtyard last week to play games, model their Halloween costumes and reunite with faculty, staff and other families. They all were there to celebrate more than two decades of lifesaving care through the Premature Infant Development (PREMIEre) Program.

The children, who participated in the PREMIEre Program, weighed less than 3 pounds, 5 ounces at birth and received specialized care from the PREMIEre Program through the age of 3.

Carolyn McLerran, R.N., M.S.N., is the coordinator of the PREMIEre Program and organized the reunion with support from the University Health System and other community organizations.

“It is so important for us to see these children grow and to keep in touch with them,” McLerran said. “The children, families, faculty and staff always enjoy reuniting with each other.”

Sonny Melendrez, KAHL 1310 Radio morning show host, made a special guest appearance at the reunion.

Sonny Melendrez, KAHL morning show host, lets 18-month-old Alejandro Perales show off his “growl” while dressed in his lion costume. Alejandro weighed only 1 pound, 12 ounces when he was born.

Following the reunion, Rajam Ramamurthy, M.D., medical director of the PREMIEre Program, and Graciela Cigarroa, PREMIEre Program Advisory Board chair, hosted a cocktail reception to honor community leaders who support the program. Marilyn Escobedo, M.D., founder of the PREMIEre Program and its first medical director, presented the keynote address, stressing the uniqueness and importance of the program.

Infants in the PREMIEre Program receive specialized services in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University Hospital. The PREMIEre program ensures continuity of medical care during the first three years of life for premature infants, said Steven Seidner, M.D., head of the division of neonatology. This coordinated care helps babies with such small beginnings to realize their greatest expectations.

“The average cost per patient in the NICU is $35,000,” Dr. Ramamurthy said. “Funding the program, which is the only one of its kind in South Texas, is a challenge, and we hope to gain more supporters so that we can continue to help these tiny infants become real-life miracles.”