The NICU Cuddle Program provides trained medical student volunteers with the opportunity to support infants in the NICU through comforting and positive human interaction. Volunteers cuddle eligible infants, particularly when parents or caregivers are unable to be at the bedside, while gaining meaningful exposure to compassionate, family-centered NICU care. Each cuddle session is 30 minutes, and volunteers are required to complete a minimum of 10 sessions to fulfill the program requirements. While volunteering, students must wear scrubs, follow the bare-below-the-elbows policy, and display their UTMB badge at all times while in the NICU. Wear a PPE gown before every cuddle session. Volunteers must complete the checkout questionnaire in order to get credit for their session.
