Kendall Regional Medical Center (KRMC) celebrated the one-year anniversary of its Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on Saturday, Mar. 26, with more than 160 people, including babies who were former NICU patients and their families, for an afternoon picnic in the hospital courtyard.
The families were reunited with the doctors, nurses and staff who treated the babies during their critical first few months of life.
“It is always rewarding to see former patients happy and healthy,” said Lee Chaykin, Kendall Regional CEO. “We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the success of this first year of our Level II NICU than with the families who personally benefited by its opening.”
Kendall Regional and its NICU are dedicated to providing a family-centered care atmosphere. The picnic celebration featured entertainment for children of all ages including an appearance by Dora the Explorer, a clown, face painting activities and a photo session. Kendall Regional also provided music entertainment, food and cake for attendees.
Many of the hospital’s NICU physician and staff members also attended the event including Dr. Bernardo Pimentel, NICU medical director; Ricardo Pavon, CFO of Kendall Regional, and Edith Diaz, NICU unit leader.
Kendall Regional’s Level II NICU is an eight-bed unit with state-of-the-art equipment and a five-bed step down unit where babies are transitioned to prior to discharge. The center opened in January 2010 and has treated more than 180 sick, premature or low birth-weight newborns. The unit includes 12 neonatologists and nurse practitioners and 25 nurses who are specially trained to care for infants.
For more information, call 305-222-2200, or visit online at www.kendallmed.com.
