Preemie 'graduates' after spending 515 days in Minneapolis hospital

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A preemie baby "graduated" from the hospital Tuesday after he spent his first 515 days of life at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis.

Oliver Rodriguez-Ocampo was born on July 20, 2017. According to the hospital, staff celebrated his move from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit and now the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to home with a “graduation,” which included a cap and gown, cake and refreshments.

Child Life Specialist Katie O'Hearn helped organize the event.

“We’ve grown awfully close to this little guy. As far as we know, he’s had one of the longest stays as an inpatient baby we’ve had here in at least 18 years. He’s got each and every one of us wrapped around his adorable little fingers,” she said in a release.