- Santa visited Ogden Regional Medical Center's NICU, bringing holiday cheer.
- Parents appreciated Santa's visit, which lifted spirits during a stressful time.
OGDEN — It was still 10 days before Christmas Monday, but the staff at Ogden Regional Medical Center knew it was never too soon to bring holiday cheer to families in need of it.
That's why they brought a very special holiday visitor to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit — Santa.
"Merry Christmas," Santa smiled and waved as the bells on his feet announced his arrival Monday morning.
Brittany Galland, mother of 26-week-old Archer, said workers had excitedly given her a heads-up that Santa would be making a stop to say hello to babies and parents in the NICU.
"It made me happy this morning to see Santa there," Galland told KSL. "It just kind of brings the mood up a little. Everybody feels that warmth — that Christmastime warmth."
Workers acknowledged the NICU can be a stressful place for parents, especially around the holidays.
"These babies — some of them are very ill, very small," said Dr. Shannon Jenkins. "They don't have the baby in their own arms and their own control."
Jenkins said Santa's presence brought some much-needed levity.
"It gives another chance to have happiness and joy and something to look forward to," Jenkins said. "It's a great thing. I love looking forward to this every year."
Bri Delgado said she also appreciated the visit to her newborn daughter, Lilith.
"I felt kind of sad because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for Lilith being in the NICU for Christmas," Delgado said. "To have them come in and do that for us, I now have pictures that I can give to my family as Christmas ornaments, and it's fantastic."
Manager Shelby Ticknor turned emotional after watching Santa interact with one baby.
"These are little miracles," she said. "They really, truly are — every single one of them. Every day we keep them alive is just amazing."
Matthew and Celeste Nance received a surprise after Santa's visit — the doctor said their newborn, Teddy, could leave.
"Santa did a fantastic job and, you know, he worked his little magic with us, and it looks like we're going to go home today," Matthew Nance said. "It means everything to us."
