Celebrating the Tiniest Fighters at Our Annual NICU Picnic

Valley Children’s Healthcare welcomed almost 1,000 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit graduates and their families to its annual NICU Picnic, a heartfelt celebration of resilience and milestones for some of the Central Valley's tiniest fighters. 

“It’s day for all of our babies who’ve graduated from our NICU to come back, see our staff and show how great they’re doing,” said NICU Director Stacie Venkatesan. “I am proud of our teams who carry on this tradition and make this event possible each and every year.” 

First held in 1979, the NICU Picnic has grown into a cherished tradition, honoring the courage of babies who started life with serious medical challenges, such as prematurity, low birth weight or complex health conditions. Also celebrated are their parents, families and the dedicated medical teams who helped the graduates thrive. 

It’s more than a reunion; it’s a celebration of life, love and the incredible progress made possible by compassionate care. 

Families traveled from Modesto, the Central Coast, Bakersfield and across the Central Valley to share hugs, stories and gratitude at the “homecoming” - themed event. 

The hospital’s south lawn became a lively sports arena, with football and soccer fields, cornhole and giant Jenga. Guests enjoyed classic game day fare, pom-poms and commemorative “2025 NICU Homecoming” footballs. Many families and kids decorated crowns, jerseys, pennants and keepsakes. 

The Minarets High School Mustangs football team and cheerleaders joined in, leading drills and stunts that brought smiles to every corner. 

Families also explored American Ambulance’s “Baby Ambulance,” a specialized neonatal transport vehicle designed to safely carry premature and critically ill newborns from one facility to another. Equipped with an incubator, ventilator and life-support systems, it’s essentially a NICU on wheels.
 

“I’m thankful every day for this hospital and the care we continue to receive,” said Megan Liang, whose daughter, Kylie, was cared for in the NICU. Today, both Megan and Kylie volunteer at Valley Children’s. “I’m thankful that we get to come and help celebrate the battles these families have gone through together,” Kylie added.