EVANSVILLE, IN – The Deaconess Riley neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), located in The Women’s Hospital, has won the National Preemie Donna Award for Best Narration. The award was given at the Vermont Oxford Network national meeting in Washington, D.C. to top entries that captured something special or unique about their NICU.

Kenneth Herrmann, MD, Medical Director of Infant Services at Deaconess Riley, wrote and narrated the winning 3-minute video titled “NICU, A Roller Coaster for Life,” and it was produced and directed by David K Wells, President of Wellness Communications and DKWELLS, LLC. The winning entry was based on a 7-minute virtual video tour of the NICU that is given to parents prior to their newborn being admitted.

“When possible, the virtual video tour is given to parents ahead of time to familiarize them with the environment so they aren’t completely focused on the machines and wires their child is hooked up to,” said Herrmann. “The experience for parents in the NICU is like a roller coaster with many ups and downs, and the video prepares them for what to expect while their newborn is being cared for by our highly-trained team.”