NICU
Kick Off Kid
On the football field at the Lakeland High School Dreadnaught’s home games, we are honoring our incredible NICU Families.
Our Kick Off Kids are children who are Lakeland Regional Health’s Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates or children who receive ongoing care at LRH!
Together with Lakeland Regional Health, the Lakeland High School coaches, players, cheerleaders, and fans welcome these families to share their amazing stories of strength, resilience, and love.
If your child or someone you knew was a patient in the Lakeland Regional Health NICU, we want to hear from you! Share your journey with us and apply to be a featured Lakeland Regional Health NICU Kick Off Kid Family at one of the Dreadnaughts’ 2025 home games HERE!
Meet our 2024 Kick Off Kids
Cash Purcell
Cash is a 5-year-old superstar and one of our resilient NICU kiddos. During her pregnancy with Cash, Ashley faced multiple complications. In February 2019, at just 29 weeks, the blood flow to Cash was minimal, and Ashley was admitted to Lakeland Regional Health for monitoring until it was time for Cash to enter the world!
Two weeks after being admitted, things took a turn and Cash was in distress. Delivered by emergency C-section at just 2 pounds, 7 ounces—small enough to fit in the palms of Ashley and Nash’s hands. He spent 9 weeks in the NICU, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
“As first-time parents, it was overwhelming to see our newborn connected to cords and machines, with all the beeping adding to the stress. The nurses and staff provided exceptional care for both Cash and me as I moved between the Mother Baby and NICU floors. I stayed in the NICU with Cash day and night. Being at the hospital around the clock, we quickly became friends with the nurses. They showed their care and dedication in big ways, like saving his life, and in small gestures, like ordering a small cake for my birthday from the cafeteria. The therapy staff were always positive, clearly loving their job of saving tiny humans.”
Callie Purcell
Fast forward 3 years and Cash soon became an older brother to little sister Callie! The pregnancy was going well, but with previous pregnancy issues, a specialist was required for Ashley and Callie. She knew right away that she wanted to go to Lakeland Regional Health.
At 29 weeks, Ashley’s water broke, and she was admitted for monitoring until Callie made her arrival. After three weeks on the Labor & Delivery floor, Ashley started having contractions. After an emergency C-section, Callie was a fighter in the NICU just like her brother – and she got to come home after only 3.5 weeks!
“The nurses were knowledgeable, and informative and took quick action as the team prepped for another emergency C-Section. Callie was born weighing 5 pounds, 6 ounces – almost double the size of her brother Cash, but still almost 9 weeks early. The familiar faces of NICU doctors and nurses were there and we were reassured knowing how great the NICU team was. Once again, the NICU staff went above and beyond to care for us during our stay. It was comforting to see the familiar faces. During the holidays, the NICU staff went above and beyond not only caring for the babies but also making the environment feel as homey as possible. They decorated the rooms and even gave Christmas gifts to the families and babies. We are forever grateful for the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion and Lakeland Regional Staff–they are truly a blessing to our community!”
Thank you to Ashley, Nash, and Callie Purcell for sharing their stories with us!
Expert Pediatric Care, Close to Home
Carol Jenkins Barnett for Women and Children
The Barnett Pavilion is a premier healthcare destination where our team of compassionate doctors, nurses, and clinicians provide safe care during life’s most important moments, delivering clinical excellence and family-centered care for children and women of all ages.
Are you or a loved one expecting? Tour the Barnett Pavilion!
Level III NICU
Our Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children offers a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to provide specialty care for infants, even those less than 1,000 grams. Our on-staff neonatologist works closely with our highly trained NICU nurses and respiratory therapists to deliver the most sophisticated care in a technologically advanced and nurturing environment.
The Center for Fetal Care
Lakeland Regional Health and Nemours Children’s Health System have joined together to benefit the mothers of Polk County and the surrounding communities through the creation of The Center for Fetal Care (CFC).