Due to storm predictions today (Saturday, July 12) the celebration event will be postponed to tomorrow, Sunday, July 13.
RNICU 50th Anniversary
The RNICU (Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of dedicated care for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients. Since its founding, the unit has provided life-saving treatments, leading-edge technology, and compassionate support to countless newborns and their families.
This milestone is a testament to the expertise, innovation, and unwavering commitment of the medical professionals who have made a lasting impact on neonatal care. As the RNICU looks to the future, it remains devoted to advancing care and giving every baby the best possible start in life.
RSVP to attend the Celebration
Rain Date: Sunday, July 13 • 1:00 - 4:00 pm
This invite-only event is reserved for RNICU graduates and families cared for between 2007 – 2014, past and current RNICU staff, providers, and supporters.
Location: Bliss Park, 1441 N Michigan Ave, Saginaw, MI 48601
(Adjacent to Covenant HealthCare Cooper and Harrison campuses)
1:30 pm - Welcome announcement
2:00 pm - RNICU graduate year group photos begin
(taken in 15-minute increments)
- 2:00 pm - 2007 Graduate Photo
- 2:15 pm - 2008 Graduate Photo
- 2:30 pm - 2009 Graduate Photo
- 2:45 pm - 2010 Graduate Photo
- 3:00 pm - 2011 Graduate Photo
- 3:15 pm - 2012 Graduate Photo
- 3:30 pm - 2013 Graduate Photo
- 3:45 pm - 2014 Graduate Photo
Photobooth • Interactive activities for all ages
Face Painting • Inflatables and games
Music • Light refreshments
50 Years of Extraordinary Care for Newborns
For half a century, the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU) has been dedicated to providing life-saving care to the most vulnerable newborns. What started as a vision has grown into a state-of-the-art facility, giving thousands of premature and critically ill infants a fighting chance at life. This milestone marks not only 50 years of innovation and excellence in neonatal medicine but also the unwavering commitment of the medical professionals who have made a profound impact on families across the region.
At the heart of this legacy is Dr. Chaiyakarn Soontharotoke, known to all simply as Dr. Chai. His journey to founding the Special Care Nursery in Saginaw began with his medical training in Thailand, followed by advanced neonatal fellowships at the University of Michigan and Milwaukee County General Hospital. When he returned to Saginaw in 1973, he was determined to bring specialized newborn care to the community. With the support of local pediatricians, he led the effort to establish a neonatal unit, ensuring newborns needing more advanced care could receive the care they needed close to home. Read more about Dr. Chai’s incredible story here.
The RNICU’s evolution from a small Special Care Nursery into a leading Level III Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a testament to the dedication of Covenant HealthCare and its mission to provide the highest level of neonatal care. From manually monitoring oxygen levels in the early days to today’s advanced technology and specialized treatments, the unit continues to push the boundaries of innovation. Thanks to the vision of pioneers like Dr. Chai and the ongoing support of the Covenant Foundation and Covenant Kids, the RNICU remains a beacon of hope for families in need, ensuring that even the tiniest patients receive extraordinary care.
Advancing Care and Innovation
Covenant Children's Hospital
In 2023, Covenant HealthCare announced the establishment of Covenant Children’s Hospital, marking a milestone for the healthcare system and its commitment to pediatric care. As the newest member of the Children’s Hospital Association and the northernmost children’s hospital in Michigan, this milestone affirms Covenant’s commitment to delivering specialized, family-centered healthcare to children across the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. Dr. Michael Fiore, Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, highlights this moment as a collective promise to the region’s future, its children.
With a legacy of pediatric services dating back to the late 1800s, Covenant Children’s Hospital brings together advanced clinical programs and specialized facilities, including the region’s only Pediatric Emergency Care Center and Level III RNICU, as well as Michigan’s only PICU north of Flint. By partnering with providers locally and statewide, and by joining a national network of over 200 children’s hospitals, Covenant is creating a place where compassionate expertise meets innovation, advocacy, and the unique needs of every child. Covenant Children's Hospital is located inside Covenant Medical Center - Harrison.
Learn More About Covenant Children's Hospital
The Ronald McDonald Family Room®
The Ronald McDonald Family Room® at Covenant HealthCare offers a comforting retreat for families of hospitalized children, allowing them to stay close to their loved ones during challenging times. Located near the pediatric unit, this facility includes three private rooms with beds, two wellness rooms for privacy, two bathrooms with showers, a pantry, and a kitchenette. This space is designed to provide families with essential rest and support while they remain near their hospitalized child.
The Family Room is staffed by dedicated personnel and volunteers who offer support and ensure the area remains a welcoming environment. This initiative reflects Covenant HealthCare's commitment to family-centered care, recognizing that the presence and well-being of family members are vital to a child's recovery process.
Learn More About the Ronald McDonald Family Room®
Covenant Kids
The Covenant Foundation and Covenant Kids are dedicated to advancing technology and innovation in the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU), ensuring the tiniest patients receive the highest level of care. Through generous community support, we invest in state-of-the-art equipment, groundbreaking treatments, and specialized programs that enhance outcomes for pediatric patients, including newborns and their families. Together, we’re shaping the future of neonatal care with compassion and innovation.
Learn More about Covenant Kids
Covenant Kids Gala
The Covenant Kids Gala is an annual event that raises funds to support the medical needs for pediatric patients at Covenant Children's Hospital. This black-tie experience features spectacular live entertainment, a unique four-course meal, dancing, festivities, and fellowship all while raising money to support the highest level of care for our region’s littlest patients.
Learn More About the Covenant Kids Gala
2025 - The 5th Annual Covenant Kids Gala will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025.
2024 - 4th Annual Covenant Kids Gala
The 2024 Gala raised money for a voice-activated ultrasound machine. This system is used in the Pediatric ICU to diagnose and help guide medical treatment of critically ill children. It uses verbal commands to improve efficiency, sterility, and focus during exams, improving patient comfort.
2023 - 3rd Annual Covenant Kids Gala
The 2023 Gala raised money for a high-frequency jet ventilator to be used during emergency air transportation. This system is used in the RNICU to support breathing. Its gentle airflow minimizes potential lung trauma, especially in micro-preemies. Having the equipment in the helicopter allows a higher level of care more quickly, as the Covenant Transport Team helps infants across the state.
2022 - 2nd Annual Covenant Kids Gala
Proceeds from the 2022 Gala were used to purchase a state-of-the-art C-Arm imaging machine for the Covenant Emergency Care Center. This equipment provides real-time, bedside x-rays for pediatric patients with urgent medical needs.
2021 - The first-ever Gala for Covenant Kids
Proceeds from the 2021 Gala were used to purchase three new, state-of-the-art infant isolette transporters. This equipment provides the safest method for bringing premature babies and sick infants to Covenant from regional hospitals.