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Learn How the New NICU is Enhancing Lifesaving Care

The new Axe and Blaise Wanstrath Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford is enhancing care for our smallest newborns and their families. The transformed space, including 12 private and two semiprivate rooms, creates a serene environment that supports healing, development, and advanced care.

(This photo was retouched to reduce hair covering baby's mouth and face.)  
Austen Tabone's mother went into premature labor, and Austen was born at a hospital in Santa Cruz. The neonatologist there determined Austen had esophageal abnormalities and had her admitted to the Packard Children's NICU. There Austen underwent a procedure to correct her esophageal issue, but then the Packard Children's team discovered Austen had Tetraology of Fallot. Austen, at less than two months of age, underwent open-heart surgery at our hospital. Today Austen is back at home and doing well.

The quieter private and semiprivate rooms in the new NICU reduce stress and promote bonding between newborns and their parents. The new space takes care to the next level, increasing parental involvement and crucial bonding practices like skin-to-skin kangaroo care.

Maddie 9

The transformed high-acuity NICU provides enhanced capabilities to care for critically ill newborns who may need lifesaving emergency surgery, dialysis, or heart-lung support (ECMO). Every advanced tool serves a vital purpose for fragile newborns and their families, like real-time monitoring systems that allow parents to check on their babies via an app.

A mother cuddles up with her newborn baby on a bed.

New, advanced technology paired with the quieter, private spaces contributes to recovery and development, which can reduce the risk for infection, ultimately shortening families’ hospital stays.  

Private NICU room 110A9149

The reimagined NICU reflects Packard Children’s unwavering commitment to family-centered care. The rooms are thoughtfully designed to allow babies to recover with their families at their bedsides around the clock, providing intimacy and comfort and minimizing the stress of shared spaces 

Leo Maddie and David

Turn compassion into action for moms and babies and double your impact.

Your gift will help expand crucial programs like mental health screenings for postpartum depression and anxiety, and family assistance for patient families in need of lodging and meals.

And, for a limited time, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to the Roth Auxiliary, a community of volunteers who run the Packard Children’s Hospital Gift Shop.