In 1984 a mobile extension of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit established in 1975 was begun by UT Medical Center. A fully equipped pediatric intensive care van, which provided for the needs of premature babies or extremely ill children as far away as southern Kentucky, took to the road. Later named MARMA (Mother’s Answer to Rapid Medical Assistance), a second, roomier van, MARMA 2, took the place of the initial one in 1989. The mascot of the program was depicted as a small kangaroo, named MARMA.