Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital has been delivering babies for more than 35 years and now ‘our’ babies, delivered in the 1970s and 1980s, are starting families of their own.

As our community continues to grow and thrive, the demand for maternity services increases as does the need to ensure that critical care for newborns is close to home. Responding to that need, Henry Mayo is pleased to report that construction of its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), slated for completion at the end of this year, is on schedule.

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“Our NICU construction is proceeding smoothly with a targeted opening date of December 2011,” said John Schleif, senior vice president and chief operating officer. “Henry Mayo physicians and staff are enthusiastic about the role our NICU will play in providing for our tiniest patients’ critical healthcare needs.”

The completion of the $6 million state-of-the-art facility is an important part of the hospital’s expansion and vision to create the ideal healthcare environment for the Santa Clarita Valley community.

Construction on the 11-bed, 4,369-square-foot NICU began in December 2010 with a ‘wall-bashing’ of the old intensive care unit, the future home of the NICU. Following the completion of construction and final approvals from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) and the Department of Health Services (DHS), the unit will be open for patients.

Great thought went into the NICU design to ensure a high quality, comprehensive continuum of care for all mothers and babies who need extra care, along with a warm, nurturing environment that will meet the needs of our tiniest patients right here in our own community and close to family and friends.

Henry Mayo’s NICU will be equipped and staffed for a full range of highly specialized neonatal care experts and include state-of-the art equipment and materials to ensure the best care for babies. A neonatologist will oversee care, and nurses with advanced training will provide continual monitoring, while respiratory care specialists, dietitians, pharmacists, and physical and occupational therapists will all provide support for the newborns and their parents.

The Santa Clarita Valley community deserves the security and comfort of a neonatal intensive care unit, and many Henry Mayo physicians, staff, and volunteers, as well as members of the SCV community have stepped forward with meaningful contributions for the NICU. Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation continues to gratefully accept all gifts, large or small, for our tiniest patients.