STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 20
Stillwater Medical adding NICU wing
As the due date approaches for a new baby , families face all kinds of emotions as they prepare for the latest addition to their family . They pack the hospital bags , load the car , and head to the nearest hospital . Families usually anticipate a happy day , but what happens if the baby is distressed during delivery ?
Unfortunately , families may have to travel outside Payne County for care , depending on the situation . Stillwater Medical can only provide basic care for babies who must go to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit . The hospital is only equipped to prepare the baby for transport since it ’ s a level I NICU .
However , the NICU unit will be upgraded to level II in less than two years . It could provide advanced care for babies born at 32 weeks or later .
Rachel Leslie , Director of Marketing and Communication for the Stillwater Medical Foundation , said the new upgrade could be a comfort to families .
“ You have cases where the family lives out of town . Say they live here , but their babies are in the NICU in Oklahoma City , and they have other children here ,” Leslie said . “ They are coming back and forth , and their family is split . That ’ s emotionally taxing .”
Leslie has worked with the foundation for about a year and knows firsthand the importance of a level II NICU since she had two births that resulted in her babies living in a NICU after delivery . She spoke about the first time she encountered this .
“ She was our middle . She did not make it . But she lived for three months . And so I have a real deep passion for it . This is like a passion project ,” Leslie said . “ We lived in Oklahoma City , and our baby was born at Mercy , and then she lived the rest of her life at OU Children ’ s .”
Her next daughter also had to be in the NICU , but this time she was living in Stillwater , which wasn ’ t equipped for her daughter ’ s care . Leslie said her daughter
Rachel Leslie , Director of Marketing and Communication for the Stillwater Medical Foundation , said the new upgrade could be a comfort to families .
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 20