Holy Redeemer Maternity Center Expansion Opens 15 NICU Beds in Phase I

Meadowbrook: Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center in Meadowbrook opened its new 15-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on April 13, 2010 as part of a three-phase, $10 million investment in maternity and newborn care for the families of its community. In addition to the NICU, seven maternity triage beds and six additional post partum beds were opened last week.

The new 15-bed NICU replaces the existing 10-bed NICU. Holy Redeemer provides Level III NICU services to its smallest, most vulnerable patients, some born as early as 24 weeks gestation (that’s four months less than full term). Holy Redeemer cares for about 250 babies in its NICU and delivers 3000 newborns each year.

“We actually expanded the footprint of our Maternity Center, building over an existing roof for the new unit,” said Marian Thallner, Vice President of Women’s and Children’s Services. “The new state-of-the-art NICU is filled with natural light that will make our infants, parents, and clinicians more comfortable.”

“Holy Redeemer has proudly cared for mothers and their babies for more than 50 years,” said Shelly Urofsky, Executive Vice President, Holy Redeemer Health System. “In fact, we delivered our very first baby at Holy Redeemer nine hours before the hospital officially opened back in 1959! This important renovation continues our commitment to women and newborns in our community.”

Work on phase two of the project, to include a full renovation and expansion of the well-baby nursery and an additional four NICU beds, is scheduled for completion in October 2010. The third and final phase will include additional elevator access, renovated patient registration and family waiting areas, updated labor-delivery-recovery rooms, and WiFi access for patients. Holy Redeemer anticipates completion of the entire project in spring 2011.

The entire project adds 7,550 square feet and renovates an additional 33,600 square feet of the Maternity Center.

Holy Redeemer Health System

With an emphasis on providing a continuum of care, Holy Redeemer Health System remains true to the mission to care, comfort and heal that its sponsors, the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer, began in our region in 1924 – to provide high quality, compassionate care. Today, Holy Redeemer offers a wide range of healthcare and health-related services, including an acute care hospital, home health and hospice services, two skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, a retirement community, low-income housing, an active living community, and a transitional housing program for homeless women and children. With corporate offices in Huntingdon Valley, PA, Holy Redeemer Health System is a Catholic healthcare provider, serving southeastern Pennsylvania and 11 counties in New Jersey, from Union County south to Cape May County.