Photo courtesy Henry Mayo

While the birth of a baby is a beautiful experience, the process can be very complex.  A newborn’s lungs must breathe air, their kidneys must begin working, their liver and immune system must begin functioning and their digestive system must begin to process food as well as excrete waste, to name a few.  Life outside the womb is an adjustment for a newborn, and being born prematurely, having a difficult delivery, low birth weight, birth defects, can be even more challenging.  To help with a baby’s development in times of need, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a place where newborns can receive intensive medical attention.
As the Santa Clarita Valley continues to grow, the demand for maternity services and critical care for newborns increases as well.  The new, $6 million Kim and Steven Ullman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is an important part of the hospital’s expansion and vision to create the ideal patient-centered environment for our community, providing world-class healthcare for Santa Clarita’s tiniest patients. The state-of-the-art, 11-bed, level II unit is staffed by an experienced team that believes in taking a family-centered approach. “The staff is very experienced, averaging eight to 10 years each,” stated NICU medical director Suskshma Sreepathi, MD. “This type of expertise matters because we take care of such fragile babies at a very critical juncture in their lives.”
Just last month, the “graduates” of Henry Mayo’s NICU and their families reunited with NICU staff and physicians. “It’s a great comfort to know that this facility is here,” states Erin Finn, mother of twins Kylie and Dylan. “The staff calmed our fears by keeping us updated on our babies’ progress and by providing the best care possible.”
Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital has invested significantly in the unit’s physical environment. “We’re the only NICU with individual and private rooms for our patients and their families,” states Sally McGann, Director of Maternal Child Services at Henry Mayo. “We took into consideration our patient’s developmental needs by paying attention to the lighting, sound levels, room temperature, and of course the latest technology and expertise in medical care.”
Of the proud parents who attended the reunion, perhaps donors Kim and Steven Ullman were proudest of all.  “The need for newborns to be welcomed into this world with a safe and healthy start is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” said Steven Ullman.  “We are honored to participate in this wonderful new facility. We hope that the gift through our family foundation inspires others to consider ways to help the hospital.”
Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is located at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2083.  For more information, visit www.henrymayo.com or call 661-253-8000.