Aspirus Health
announces the opening of their expanded Anya Marie Jackson Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit (NICU) at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The expansion includes the
addition of five new NICU rooms, for a total of 17 rooms.
“This expansion
means we can care for even more of the region’s most vulnerable patients –
babies who are born prematurely and/or are critically ill,” said Matt Heywood,
CEO & President of Aspirus Health.
Expectant parents
can feel confident that, if needed, Aspirus has a Level III NICU
centrally-located in Wausau.
The NICU at Aspirus
Wausau Hospital has the region’s only single-family room model for critically
ill babies.
“The single rooms
mean parents can stay with their baby 24/7, allowing privacy with their baby
and providing the opportunity to bond and participate in their care,” said Barb
Lemanski, NICU Manager. “It also provides flexibility to parents as they may need
to leave and return again.”
The NICU also
provides special accommodations for twins and triplets.
The care team
includes three neonatologists (doctors trained in specialized care for
critically-ill babies): Dr. Haresh Modi, who also serves as the NICU Medical
Director, Dr. Michael Kuklinski, and Dr. Carlos Torres; and three Advanced
Practice Nurse Practitioners: Dawne Suehring, APNP, Sarah Walder, APNP, and
Heidi Hodgins, APNP.
A robust support
team of specialists provides ongoing care and support to patients and their
families as well, including neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists,
dieticians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and cuddlers – volunteers who are
trained to hold the babies.
The NICU features a
NICVIEW webcam system, with a camera in every room, offering secure real-time
online viewing, promoting whole-family bonding.
To learn more,
visit aspirus.org/nicu.