Published: October 3, 2024
LANSING, MICH. – University of Michigan Health-Sparrow and Potter Park Zoo are partnering to celebrate the arrival of newborns in Mid-Michigan with a special nod to our animal friends and one of the region’s top attractions.
Starting Oct. 14, families of babies born at UM Health-Sparrow will receive a complimentary one-year family membership to Potter Park Zoo, creating opportunities for families to explore and learn together. All patients and their families at the University of Michigan Health Sparrow Children’s Center will also receive the complimentary memberships.
Each family will receive a two-adult family, basic membership, which includes unlimited standard admission to the zoo for a full year, discounted access to over 100 zoos and aquariums nationwide, and exclusive member events. The membership will give new families a chance to enjoy the zoo’s collection of animals and connect with nature throughout the year.
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing leaders, the Porter family, along with Amy Morris-Hall, executive director of the Potter Park Zoo, celebrate the new collaboration.
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow chief operating officer, Kira Carter-Robertson greets the Porter family, who will receive free access to the zoo for a year.
“Our partnership with Potter Park Zoo is an extension of our commitment to support families beyond the hospital,” said Kathy Marble, chief nursing officer at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing. “We recognize the joy that comes with welcoming a new life into the world, and we want to help families build new traditions together. This membership is a gift for parents and children to enjoy the wonders of nature while creating lasting memories.”
UM Health-Sparrow delivers approximately 4,000 babies each year and offers specialized support during high-risk pregnancies as Mid-Michigan’s only regional neonatal intensive care unit (RNICU), ensuring mothers and babies receive the best care available. The collaboration with Potter Park Zoo highlights both organizations' commitment to community well-being.
“We are thrilled to partner with UM Health-Sparrow to bring families closer to wildlife,” said Amy Morris-Hall, executive director of the Potter Park Zoo Society. “This is more than just a membership, it’s an invitation to explore, foster a love for conservation, and enjoy moments of wonder as a family.”
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University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as well as UM Health-Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Care Network, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. UM Health-Sparrow is part of University of Michigan Health. Through the dedication of our 10,000 team members, UM Health-Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org.