Nicole was just 23 weeks and five days into her pregnancy with Lorenzo when she went into labor. This rare and terrifying circumstance brought mother and baby to UF Health Jacksonville, home of a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where Lorenzo was born weighing just one pound. During the first five months of his life, he underwent multiple surgeries, blood transfusions and ventilator changes. According to his mom, “Lorenzo was one of the smallest and sickest babies in the NICU.” Lorenzo fought hard, but required additional treatment so he was eventually transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Wolfson Children's Hospital. He was able to safely make the journey from one hospital to the next using a NICU transporter purchased earlier that year. Lorenzo spent several more months in the hospital before he was able to go home for the first time. He is now a happy, rambunctious three-year-old who is excelling each and every day, despite many ongoing health challenges. We are proud to share that Lorenzo is this year’s Local Champion for CMN Hospitals of Jacksonville.