April 7-Liz Mellas's son, Dominic, was born at 28 weeks in Hurley Medical Center’s Level III NICU in 2005.

In Liz Mellas's words:

"I spent every day for the next three months with Dominic in Hurley's NICU. On numerous occasions, I was told his chances of making it through the night were not likely, but they would do everything they could. After three months of fighting on his part, prayers and hope, Dominic finally was able to come home! He was still small at three months – so small that he could fit in a shoebox.

"I can’t express how wonderful and thankful I am to have had such great staff taking care of my son. With all odds against him, from birth until now, he continues to be a perfect little man. He has no deficits, and is my little miracle."

Inspired to work in Hurley's NICU

Liz Mellas, Dominic's mom, also said, "I was so inspired by my experience at Hurley that I decided to pursue my RN degree in hopes of one day working in the NICU, sharing my story, and relating to other patients there!"

April "Hurley Baby" Contest: Weekly Winners!

Were you a Hurley baby? Have you had a Hurley baby? Do you know someone with a great Hurley baby story? Hurley Medical Center is looking for the best Hurley Baby Stories ever! Share your story on Hurley's Facebook page and you could win a Visa Gift Card!

From April 1-30, 2012, we are asking everyone to send us their Hurley Baby Stories!

Here's how it works:
1) Write down your amazing Hurley baby story (300 words or less)
2) Post it with a photo OR upload a video (3 minutes or less) onto Hurley's Facebook page
3) Become a fan of Hurley's Facebook page
4) Your entry is confirmed when your post receives a "LIKE" from Hurley Medical Center

Every Friday in April we will select TWO WINNERS. Each weekly winner will receive a $50.00 Visa Gift Card!

THE FIRST WINNER-CHOSEN AT RANDOM:
Each Friday in April we will draw a winner at random from all entries received that week. This winner will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card.

THE SECOND WINNER-BEST STORY OF THE WEEK:
Each Friday in April we will also draw a 2nd winner – the best story of the week. This winner is determined by the largest number of "LIKES" a story gets during the week it was posted. The winning story will be posted as a "Showcase Story" on the Hurley Medical Center website and the winner will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card. On April 30, 2012, we will hold a random drawing of the four "Showcase Story" winners for the Grand Prize: a $250 Visa Gift Card!

One "Showcase Story" Will Win Grand Prize – A $250 Visa Gift Card!