Pregnancy
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‘Norm’s Legacy Will Live on for Years’
CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) held a private remembrance ceremony and portrait unveiling for the late Norman Virnig, MD, who passed away in February.Members of Dr. Virnig’s family were able to attend the event including his wife, Kathleen; daughter, Joy Brew; and several grandchildren.
Dr. Virnig became the first neonatologist at St. Cloud Hospital when he joined the staff in July 1988. He was the first medical director of the NICU, a major development at the hospital. It was only the fourth NICU in Minnesota outside of the Twin Cities, and the first in Central Minnesota.
Division Director for Neonatology Edward Martin-Chaffee, MD, said, “What a perfect way to remember Dr. Virnig and thank him for coming here and having the wherewithal to start a unit and begin taking care of babies, teaching nurses how to take care of babies and hiring people to continue taking care of babies in this community … we will forever be grateful.”
CentraCare’s President and CEO, Ken Holmen, MD, said, “Dr. Virnig became a pioneer and started the program here. Norm’s legacy will live on for years. The untold impact is remarkable.”
Dr. Virnig’s photo is now on display in the NICU and Birth Center Welcome Center. His contributions to our health care system and our communities are vast. May he rest in peace.
