( MENAFN - PR Newswire) Yearly event reunites patients treated in the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and treatment with their care team and other families PHILADELPHIA, June 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, more than 2,700 people gathered at the Philadelphia Zoo to celebrate Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's (CHOP) 28th annual reunion for patients and families treated at the Richard D.
Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) . This year the event was newly named the "Lori J.
Howell Fetal Family Reunion" in honor of Lori J. Howell, DNP, MS, RN, a beloved colleague, clinical innovator, and former executive director of the CFDT, who passed away earlier this year. The annual event provides an opportunity for those treated in the Center, many of whom underwent fetal surgery before they were even born, to reconnect with their care team and other families who share an indescribable bond.
"Each year, this day serves as both a celebration and a reflection point for how far our Center has come, but never has this event been more significant than this year," said N. Scott Adzick, MD , Surgeon-In-Chief at CHOP and Director of the CFDT. "It is truly a bittersweet occasion as we remember our beloved colleague, Lori Howell.
Lori was a true champion and advocate on behalf of every patient here. We are grateful for all her contributions in making this event all it has grown to be." The reunion brings together a unique community of families who have share.
