Skip to Main Content

Santa Pays Preemies a Special Visit at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s NyICU

Posted in:

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 12, 2025) – Babies in the nursery intensive care unit (NyICU) at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center have received an early Christmas gift.  Santa Claus made a special stop to spread some holiday cheer to the preemies and their loved ones. 

Parents had their babies decked out in Santa hats, onesies with Christmas tree or Santa prints, a knitted jumper made to look like a Mrs. Claus’ dress, and all the red and green outfits and accessories for a fun, festive visit with St. Nick.

Santa’s early visit is fitting, given that many patients in St. Joseph’s NyICU also arrived prematurely. Little acts of normalcy in the NyICU, like celebrating special holidays, are a huge morale booster for parents who are supporting their children day in and day out as they grow and gain strength. 

Santa’s special stop at St. Joseph’s NyICU has been happening for more than 20 years and has become a beloved hospital tradition for patient’s families and staff. The March of Dimes Arizona generously donated the adorable holiday outfits that parents dressed their babies in for photos with Santa. 

 

— ### —

Publish date: 

Friday, December 12, 2025

More Dignity Health News

St. Joseph’s NyICU Babies Get Dolled Up For Valentine’s Day

FEB 14, 2026

Roses are red, violets are blue, the cutest sweethearts are in St. Joseph’s NyICU! Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center’s nursery intensive care unit (NyICU) welcomed Valentine’s Day early this year.

Read More Additional information about St. Joseph’s NyICU Babies Get Dolled Up For Valentine’s Day

St. Joseph’s NyICU Preemies Gear Up for First Super Bowl Sunday

FEB 07, 2026

Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center’s youngest patients kicked off Super Bowl Sunday a little early this year. The preemies in the hospital’s Nursery Intensive Care Unit (NyICU) donned New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks

Read More Additional information about St. Joseph's Super Bowl NyICU Preemies

Five Years, Full Life: COVID-19 lung transplant survivor embraces life’s precious milestones after 2020 gift of life

JAN 13, 2026

Five years ago, Arthur Sanchez’s life hung in the balance. It was the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his lungs were left ravaged by the virus. However, the fate of the father-of-two from New Mexico changed after he received a lifesaving

Read More Additional information about Five Years, Full Life: COVID-19 Lung Transplant Survivor

Media contact


Abby Kay (Friedemann)

External Communications Manager

p: (602) 406-4734

[email protected]