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People profiles 'micro-preemie' St. Olaf students

By David Gonnerman '90
May 14, 2009

Two St. Olaf seniors, Charlie Debeck and Chris Cremons, are profiled in the May 18 issue of People magazine. They are part of a story about "micro-preemies" who beat steep survival odds and are thriving.

The story focuses on six micro-preemies who were born in Minnesota under the care of Dr. Ronald Hoekstra at Children's Hospital of Minnesota-Minneapolis, who has kept tabs on the progress of 146 preemies since their births in the late 19809s. Debeck, who at 1 lb. 13 oz. had a 5 percent chance of survival when he was born, is noted for having scored an 800 on his math SATs. Cremons (1 lb. 4 oz. at birth) is on the dean's list at St. Olaf and has run a half marathon.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.