Lisa Taylor, clinical coordinator for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital’s NICU and Pediatrics, demonstrates how the NICU baby beds work with a doll inside on Friday. The new NICU has 10 private rooms for babies and their parents. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)

WHEELING – WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital unveiled its new neonatal intensive care unit during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday.

The unit features 10 private rooms for babies and in-room beds for the parents to use overnight as well. The previous unit was one large room that offered space for parents to stay but not as much privacy as the new separate rooms.

Douglass Harrison, president and CEO WVU Medicine’s North Region, said hospital officials initially thought that babies in need of NICU services could be sent to WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital in Morgantown. However, after realizing the NICU was needed in the area and that Morgantown was filling up, they decided to create the private rooms at Wheeling Hospital.

“This is for the community. We want to do our part in serving our children in the Northern Panhandle, and NICU services are vital to a community,” he said. “I’m very proud of how this turned out. I’m very proud that this is a place where parents can be in the room with the child who is getting that lifesaving care that we will deliver in partnership with WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital.”

Harrison described the new space as beautiful, adding that he believes families will respond positively to it.

“This is just the physical space. It’s the care that’s delivered every single day that makes the difference,” he said. “This team that does this every single day – God bless you for what you do in your compassion and your nurturing to get these babies on the right start.”

Amy Bush, chief administrative officer of WVU Hospitals and WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital, said every day hospital leaders talk about how to drive care closer to home for the state’s residents.

“We know a healthier future starts with these little babies. And we know the burden when a family has to travel – it’s too hard on them,” Bush said. “And people are quite capable of providing care in our regional children’s hospitals.”

Dr. Mark Polak, medical director of NICU Service for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, is impressed with the new NICU, describing it as “really well done.”

“The rooms are beautiful – nice and big and family-centered,” he said.

Kathleen Kinney, lead advance provider for the NICU, said that previously there were only four beds for babies in one large room.

“This will be so much nicer for them. They can have some privacy and we can also round as a team with Dr. Polak. We can bring our respiratory therapist and the nurse who is taking care of the baby,” she said.

Having the parents close allows them to bond with the baby and for mothers to breastfeed in private if they choose to do so.

“They can hold the baby more often and be with them, and learn more about the care of a premature infant,” Kinney added.

She said the amount of time a baby needs NICU care depends on their gestational age and their clinical condition. Some babies need respiratory support or feeding support. Some babies are going through withdrawals and need medicine to help through that.

“Our patients are generally 32 weeks and older. We have some full-term babies who have respiratory issues at birth,” Kinney said. “So many things can happen that can lead to them being with us.”

Kinney added she is excited about the new NICU.

“I think it’s going to be great for the community and for the parents who have to be in here with their babies,” she said. “I’m hoping we will be able to provide the best care for the kiddos in this area.”

The babies currently receiving care there will be moved into the new rooms next week.

WHEELING – WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital unveiled its new neonatal intensive care unit during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday.

The unit features 10 private rooms for babies and in-room beds for the parents to use overnight as well. The previous unit was one large room that offered space for parents to stay but not as much privacy as the new separate rooms.

Douglass Harrison, president and CEO WVU Medicine’s North Region, said hospital officials initially thought that babies in need of NICU services could be sent to WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital in Morgantown. However, after realizing the NICU was needed in the area and that Morgantown was filling up, they decided to create the private rooms at Wheeling Hospital.

“This is for the community. We want to do our part in serving our children in the Northern Panhandle, and NICU services are vital to a community,” he said. “I’m very proud of how this turned out. I’m very proud that this is a place where parents can be in the room with the child who is getting that lifesaving care that we will deliver in partnership with WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital.”

Harrison described the new space as beautiful, adding that he believes families will respond positively to it.

“This is just the physical space. It’s the care that’s delivered every single day that makes the difference,” he said. “This team that does this every single day – God bless you for what you do in your compassion and your nurturing to get these babies on the right start.”

Amy Bush, chief administrative officer of WVU Hospitals and WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital, said every day hospital leaders talk about how to drive care closer to home for the state’s residents.

“We know a healthier future starts with these little babies. And we know the burden when a family has to travel – it’s too hard on them,” Bush said. “And people are quite capable of providing care in our regional children’s hospitals.”

Dr. Mark Polak, medical director of NICU Service for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, is impressed with the new NICU, describing it as “really well done.”

“The rooms are beautiful – nice and big and family-centered,” he said.

Kathleen Kinney, lead advance provider for the NICU, said that previously there were only four beds for babies in one large room.

“This will be so much nicer for them. They can have some privacy and we can also round as a team with Dr. Polak. We can bring our respiratory therapist and the nurse who is taking care of the baby,” she said.

Having the parents close allows them to bond with the baby and for mothers to breastfeed in private if they choose to do so.

“They can hold the baby more often and be with them, and learn more about the care of a premature infant,” Kinney added.

She said the amount of time a baby needs NICU care depends on their gestational age and their clinical condition. Some babies need respiratory support or feeding support. Some babies are going through withdrawals and need medicine to help through that.

“Our patients are generally 32 weeks and older. We have some full-term babies who have respiratory issues at birth,” Kinney said. “So many things can happen that can lead to them being with us.”

Kinney added she is excited about the new NICU.

“I think it’s going to be great for the community and for the parents who have to be in here with their babies,” she said. “I’m hoping we will be able to provide the best care for the kiddos in this area.”

The babies currently receiving care there will be moved into the new rooms next week.