University Health sends 400 former preemies to Austin park for Halloween

Hundreds of children who were born prematurely or with developmental challenges spent Halloween at Morgan’s Wonderland in Austin. The group included costumed kids and their families, all of whom received care from University Health.

The park, designed for guests with mobility and other limitations, hosted the health center’s annual Fall Fest. Participants accessed the ferris wheel, slides, carousels, and the WingZ of Wonder. Staff also organized trick-or-treating for the group.

Every attendee is part of one of three University Health programs. The PREMIEre program serves premature babies. The NICU Graduate Program provides medical, developmental, and nutritional support to preemies for their first two years. The Comprehensive Care Clinic offers broader services to preemies during their first five years.

Dr. Glen Medellin, a palliative pediatrician at University Health, has treated many of the children in attendance. He described the gathering as a way to show progress beyond the hospital setting. “It’s beautiful to see these children out here, not sick and with their families,” Medellin said. “It makes them feel normal.”

The event marked a community celebration for families navigating early childhood health challenges. It connected patients directly with the support systems that monitored their growth after discharge.