Dell Children’s expands NICU to care for more premature babies and their families

Dell Children’s Medical Center, a beacon of hope for families facing neonatal challenges, recently celebrated the grand opening of its expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The new facilities include 24 additional rooms, effectively doubling Dell Children’s capacity to care for premature babies and their families.

The heartwarming ribbon-cutting ceremony showcased the state-of-the-art NICU rooms, each thoughtfully designed to provide not only advanced medical care, but also a nurturing space for parents. Morgan Dierker, a parent of twins currently in the NICU, expressed gratitude, saying, “We couldn’t be more excited for Dell [Children’s] to have this new NICU, and to be a part of it. So thank you for taking care of our babies, it’s amazing.”

The expanded NICU comes at a crucial time, as the need for neonatal care continues to grow, with one in 10 babies born prematurely. These tiny warriors often face weeks or months of hospitalization, and the newly added rooms aim to provide a more comfortable and intimate environment for both infants and their families.

Dr. John Loyd, Chief of Neonatology at Dell Children’s, highlighted the impact of the expansion, stating, “These rooms will give us more space, but they also give us better space to then care for those patients.” The upgraded rooms feature amenities such as private bathrooms, recliners, and pull out beds, offering families the opportunity for increased involvement in the care of their newborns during the crucial early weeks and months.

In addition to the NICU expansion, Dell Children’s Medical Center unveiled a new formula lab and milk bank. This cutting-edge facility allows staff to mix formula for the entire hospital, ensuring personalized nutrition for every baby.

The success of this expansion project is a testament to the community’s commitment to providing the most sophisticated and compassionate care for the tiniest members of our community. Dell Children’s Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to the donors whose support has helped make this expansion possible.