A group of UT Health Tyler leaders and medical staff gathered at Lindsey Park in March to help plant the nine trees UT Health Tyler donated to the city of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department. The trees represent the nine beds being added as part of the hospital’s NICU construction.
Tyler, Texas (April 12, 2020) — UT Health Tyler donated nine trees to the city of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department this spring to commemorate the groundbreaking for the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Since a traditional groundbreaking ceremony could not be held due to pandemic restrictions, leaders from UT Health Tyler and a few partnering physicians gathered to celebrate planting the trees, which were placed strategically around soccer fields at Lindsey Park.
"We thought this would be a special way to symbolize the nine neonatal beds being added as part of our NICU construction, while giving something additional to the community," said Vicki Briggs, chief executive officer of UT Health Tyler. "One day these trees will provide much needed shade for our families during the warmer months."
Scheduled to open later this year, the new NICU will provide intensive care for sick infants in the Tyler area. It will also allow UT Health Tyler the ability to transfer high-risk mothers and infants from regional hospitals in Athens, Henderson and Jacksonville who previously were sent to Dallas for a higher level of care.
Click here to learn more about maternity care at UT Health Tyler.