Arkansas Tech University nursing students and faculty recently collected more than 100 board books for donation to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Conway Regional Medical Center.
The project was organized through the ATU Student Nurses Association (SNA) by ATU Department of Nursing faculty member Dr. Shaana Escobar and ATU SNA member Alivia McLeland, a level 4 nursing student who will graduate at the conclusion of the fall 2026 semester.
Escobar and McLeland both work in labor and delivery at Conway Regional. The books will be provided to the Conway Regional NICU for parents to read to their babies during their hospital stay.
“We recognize the importance of encouraging bonding between parents and their newborns from the beginning,” said Escobar. “For families with an infant in the NICU, bonding can be more difficult when the baby’s condition limits opportunities for holding or other physical contact. The idea behind the book drive was to provide parents with another way to interact with their babies during these times. Reading aloud allows parents to spend time at the bedside and gives their baby the opportunity to hear the familiar sound of their voice, even when they may not be able to hold them.”
The board books were donated by ATU nursing students and faculty for the project.
ATU Student Nurses Association will continue its philanthropic efforts by hosting a “Saved by the Bell” bake sale on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hindsman Tower.
The fundraiser was planned by Dr. Karmen Goodner, faculty advisor for ATU SNA, and members of the ATU Student Nurses Association.
The bake sale will feature homemade baked goods donated by ATU nursing students and faculty. Proceeds from the event will be divided between the Korey Heath Memorial Scholarship and the Susan Self Memorial Scholarship in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026.
Visit www.atu.edu/ceh/nursing to learn more about the ATU Department of Nursing.
