Rodeo Royalty and Bullfighters Visit St. Dominic NICU During Dixie National Week

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St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, welcomed rodeo royalty and professional bullfighters from the Dixie National Rodeo to visit the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) last week. Miss Rodeo America Olivia Favero and Miss Rodeo Canada Abbey Hartey read to infants dressed in western-themed outfits, in an event that coincided with St. Dominic's first sponsorship of the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Why it matters

The NICU visit was both celebratory and beneficial, as reading aloud to infants supports neurodevelopment and can help reduce stress. The partnership between St. Dominic and the Dixie National Rodeo also allows the hospital to provide free health screenings to attendees, expanding access to care.

The details

During the NICU visit, babies were dressed in western-themed outfits to mark the occasion. As part of the hospital's new sponsorship deal, St. Dominic branding will appear with rodeo programming, including with professional bullfighters, and healthcare staff will offer free screenings at select events, such as blood pressure checks.

• The 61st annual Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo runs through February 21, 2026.
• The NICU visit took place last week during the Dixie National Rodeo week.