NICU Family Support

There are many different programs at Gosnell Family NICU (which includes the 44 beds in the Golisano Children's Hospital Wegman's Nursery in the tower and 24 beds in the Strong Memorial Hospital Nursery) to provide support for current NICU families. Please ask your Social Worker, Child life, Family Advisor, or anyone from your NICU team for more information about these programs. As long as GCH and NICU visitation guidelines allow. The programs are scheduled at various times.

• Dinner Night: Dinners are scheduled for the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the NICU lounge. Come for a meal and conversation. It is a great way to meet other families presently in the NICU. Our dinner night is facilitated by a past NICU graduate (family caregiver) Mentor with lived experience. It's a place where our Mentors share experiences, support, tips, etc., with families presently in the NICU. Families can also ask questions. It is a very casual atmosphere. You can join the discussion or just relax in the lounge and enjoy some food. You can invite siblings, support people, or other family members as long as current GCH and NICU visitation guidelines allow.
• Donuts with Dad: We know some male caregivers (including grandpas) want support too. Come have coffee, donuts, and conversation with one of our NICU graduate (family caregiver) dad Mentors with lived experience. It is a great way to meet other male caregivers presently in the NICU. Watch for signs in the Unit with dates and times. As long as current GCH and NICU visitation guidelines allow.  
• In-person Mentoring: A NICU graduate Mentor with lived experience can come to your room and offer support. Our Mentors have gone through extensive training and visit weekly to support current families. They can be there if you need to talk or can just listen. They understand the journey you are on. They have been there. These volunteers may knock on your door to see if you’d like to visit. Visits can happen in your baby’s room, so you don’t have to leave your baby. They can talk in the lounge also if you feel more comfortable. We have a NICU graduate dad Mentor that comes to the bedside. The days/nights and times these volunteers visit the NICU may vary. As long as our current GCH and NICU visitation guidelines allow. 
• Virtual Mentoring: Our Buddy Program will connect you with a trained NICU graduate family caregiver who had a child in the Gosnell Family NICU. They have been through the NICU experience. This support is virtual through text, phone calls, zooms, or emails. The mentor's primary role is to listen. They can share helpful information, experiences, tips, and empathize with what you're going through. Read more about the Buddy Program.
• Memory making keepsake: These are held usually once a week in the morning. There is a different project each week with all the supplies provided. We offer a variety of projects like scrapbooking, painting a onesie, bib or a canvas, making picture frames, making ornaments, etc. Come join us to create a treasure or just come for conversation and meet other families presently in the NICU. Watch for signs in the Unit with dates and times. Our Family Advisory facilitates these activities. As long as our current GCH and NICU visitation guidelines allow. Memory making supplies are paid through the NICU Family Support funding option of the Stroll for Strong Kids event. Scrapbooking supplies are paid through NICU Strollers funding option of the stroll.
• Bingo: Join us for a few games of bingo. Attend to play or come for conversation and meet other families presently in the NICU. This are held in the morning occasionally. Watch for signs in the Unit with dates and times. As long as our current GCH and NICU visitation guidelines allow.

NICU Family Support Contact

Support is led by our NICU Family Advisor Tricia White, who is also a former NICU mom.

Contact Tricia for more information about the NICU Family Support program.

Our In-person Mentors and Buddy Mentors

Meet our In-person Mentors and Buddy Mentors and read about their journeys as NICU families.