Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - July 2023

10 Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S | J u l y 2 0 2 3 COMMUNITY CORNER Most parents are able to take their newborn baby home when they leave the hospital, but some infants require additional care. Stephanie Violi, of Royal Palm Beach, was 24 weeks’ pregnant when her water broke unexpectedly and for no apparent reason. The condition, called Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM), sent her to Wellington Regional Medical Center for bed rest. Six days later, on December 3, 2022 , she gave birth to baby Michael, who weighed 1 pound, 13 ounces. After birth, Michael has been in the hospital’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU for short, which is specially equipped and staffed to provide specialized care for the most fragile newborns. The 15,000-square- foot unit provides advanced technology and intensive monitoring in a comfortable environment. “The care at the NICU has been amazing,” said Stephanie. “All of the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and occupational therapists go above and beyond daily to provide excellent care. They are very dedicated to all of the patients and their families, and provide all of the babies with so much love and care.” In addition to respiratory and infectious conditions commonly seen in a neonatal unit, the Level III NICU also treats specialized surgical and cardiac conditions. With a caring staff of specialized NICU nurses and respiratory therapists, along with support from the departments of radiology, laboratory, physical therapy and pharmacy, the WRMC Level III NICU is committed to caring for your baby’s most important needs. Neonatologists, physicians trained in the care of the sickest and smallest newborns, are on staff and in- house 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are just steps away in an emergency. The hospital’s Level III services represent our continued commitment to providing specialized care for newborns. “We are proud of our Level III NICU which offers care to the most critical babies,” said Edith Spencer-Morales, MD, Medical Director of Neonatology. “From our technology, to our team’s significant clinical experience, our expertise is demonstrated by large patient volumes and complexity of care. Our evidence-based guidelines positively affect our patient outcomes.” Stephanie and her husband Michael had no idea what to expect and were very worried, but everything was explained to them every step of the way. They were able to visit him any time of the day or night. “All healthcare workers are superheroes, but the ones that work with babies, they are extra special and are sent from God,” Stephanie said. “We are forever grateful.” Baby Michael went home in early March, a few weeks before Stephanie’s due date of March 18. “We would highly recommend the NICU here at Wellington because of the dedication and care my son is receiving,” added Stephanie. “They treat the patient and family like their own family. We are so thankful.” Critical Care for the Sickest and Tiniest Babies Submitted by Matthew Woolam