Baptist Health Hardin marks ten years of NICU care with community celebration
ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (Sept. 11, 2025) – Families, caregivers and supporters came together on Thursday to celebrate a decade of lifesaving care provided by the Kosair for Kids Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Baptist Health Hardin. Since opening in 2015, the unit has cared for thousands of newborns, offering advanced treatment close to home for families throughout central Kentucky.
The anniversary event was held in the Healing Garden beside the Baptist Health Hardin Medical Pavilion and included ice cream from Dewster’s, bubbles and sidewalk chalk for the children, and a moving photo display of NICU “graduates” who began life in the unit. Guests also participated in a diaper drive to support current NICU families, underscoring the community’s ongoing commitment to its youngest patients.
“Rosie was born at Baptist Health Hardin in 2023,” said Miranda Lawless, Rosie’s mother. “She was an IUGR baby (small for her age), born at 37 weeks and six days. She had the absolute best care a mama could ever ask for. Every nurse went above and beyond to meet her needs as well as ours. She spent seven days in the NICU. She’s now 20 months and completely perfect!. We can’t sing enough praises for the team at Baptist Health Hardin.”
“Over the past ten years, our NICU has cared for countless newborns and supported families through what were often longer and more challenging stays than anyone could have anticipated,” said Robert Ramey, president of Baptist Health Hardin. “Thanks to our team’s dedication and the incredible support of our community, we have been able to provide exceptional care — and we are grateful to everyone who joined us today to celebrate these milestones with the children and families whose lives have been touched by this NICU.”
The NICU was first envisioned by the Hardin Memorial Foundation as its inaugural project in 2015. Its goal was to establish the region’s first Level II NICU, ensuring that fragile newborns could receive specialized care close to home. When Baptist Health acquired the hospital in 2020, the newly named Baptist Health Foundation Hardin continued to champion programs that benefit patients and families.
In September 2023, Kosair for Kids awarded a transformational $5 million gift to the health system foundation, the largest philanthropic gift it has ever received, funding equipment upgrades to further enhance care for critically ill infants. Through this gift, $1 million was designated for Baptist Health Hardin, and in recognition, the unit was renamed the Kosair for Kids NICU.
“Ten years ago, our new board leaders didn’t hesitate to say yes when we were asked to help fully equip the region’s only Level II NICU,” said Joe Prather, Baptist Health Foundation Hardin chair emeritus.
“Supporting the original NICU expansion was one of the most meaningful projects our foundation has ever undertaken,” said Mike Bowers, board chair for Baptist Health Foundation Hardin. “We are deeply grateful to the many donors who made this possible — including individual community members, the WHAS Crusade for Children, Kosair for Kids, our Brotherhood Banquet partners, and everyone who has supported our mission throughout the years. Together, they have helped us provide exceptional care for our smallest and most fragile patients.”