Students from Neshaminy High School ’s Interact Club spent their Veteran’s Day holiday touring Jefferson University Hospital ’s Neonatology Unit. Led by Dr. Kolawole Solarin, the students were led room by room through the 40-bed Level III unit. Dr. Solarin explained security procedures, defined prematurity (any baby born before 37 weeks), and described how various equipment helps babies achieve positive outcomes.

The students were able to see the tiniest babies, one born at 28 weeks, thriving under the care of the dedicated Neonatology team. This annual trip was made possible by the support of Robert Smoose and the March of Dimes’ Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter in honor of World Prematurity Day on Nov. 17. Worldwide, 15 million babies are born too soon; 1 in every 9 babies born in the United States is born prematurely every year.

Over the past 10 years the Neshaminy High School Interact Club has raised close to $30,000 to help the March of Dimes achieve their goal of helping moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies. Students also honored Veterans by leaving patriotic teddy bears for the babies.