Covenant Children’s is proud to announce the official opening of its specialized Small Baby Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), now fully operational and caring for premature infants born before 30 weeks gestation. The newly completed, stateof- the-art unit adds nine dedicated beds designed to meet the unique needs of the region’s smallest patients.
As the region’s only licensed, freestanding children’s hospital, Covenant Children’s has long provided exceptional care for premature infants. The Small Baby NICU offers a dedicated space that enhances our ability to deliver specialized treatment in a controlled environment. The facility will allow our medical team to respond more swiftly to the needs of our smallest patients thanks to: * Lower Lighting and Noise Levels: Creating a tranquil environment that reduces stress and promotes healing.
* Less Guest Foot Traffic: Minimizing disturbances and providing a calm atmosphere for sensitive newborns. * Enhanced Infection Control: Implementing strict protocols to safeguard against infections and ensure the health and safety of our patients.
“Covenant Children’s is built specifically for children, with dedicated specialists and expertise focused entirely on pediatric care, including the expansion of our Small Baby NICU,” said Shannon Bates, chief nursing officer at Covenant Children’s. “The Small Baby Unit is staffed by a team with expertise in caring for premature infants, which will help improve care and outcomes.”
Covenant Children’s serves more than 600 patients in our NICU annually.
The addition of the Small Baby NICU increases total NICU capacity to more than 50 beds, allowing us to care for more infants in need while ensuring those born earliest receive the highest level of specialized support.
Emily Young, chief philanthropy officer of the Covenant Heath Foundation, said, “The Small Baby NICU would not have been possible without numerous grateful patient families and friends of the foundation who have witnessed the excellent care and compassion our tiniest miracles receive here at Covenant Children’s. We are grateful for their loyal support to make many programs possible for moms and babies across our region.”
Covenant Children’s hospital remains committed to advancing neonatal care and supporting families through every stage of their journey. We extend our sincere gratitude to the donors whose generosity made this milestone possible and to all who support Covenant Children’s mission.