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was in the NICU for 10 days . Even with it being a relatively short period , it still brought challenges .
“ My husband almost didn ’ t get to be there at all because he had worked here . And so I was there — my parents were helping me — but it was sad and lonely ,” Leslie said . “ At that point , our life was here . And I wanted to be with the baby . And we had a son who was 6 . I ’ m mostly thankful she only had to be in the NICU for 10 days because the other baby was three months .”
Leslie said the new NICU wing would eliminate the need for Payne County residents — and surrounding counties — to travel to Oklahoma City , Edmond , or another state to address their newborn ’ s needs .
According to a December press release , Oklahoma Children ’ s Hospital OU Health typically operates at maximum capacity , even as a level IV NICU with 98 beds .
Trent E . Tipple , M . D ., F . A . A . P ., chief of neonatology at Oklahoma Children ’ s Hospital and chief of the section of neonatal-perinatal medicine at OU College of Medicine , was quoted in the press release saying the hospital offers the most comprehensive care .
However , Oklahoma Children ’ s Hospital also receives babies who need advanced care but may not need specialized or the highest level of care . This forces families to travel out of state to get their babies into a NICU . This could all be eliminated once Stillwater Medical completes the construction of its new NICU wing , slated to open in spring 2024 .
Aside from treating sick babies , the new wing will alleviate some postpartum complications mothers face . Postpartum depression is widely known as an after-effect on mothers . However , other issues can arise . Leslie said it could be dangerous for a mother to be forced to travel long distances after giving birth .
“ Being in the car a lot , driving back and forth , would not be comfortable for a mother who ’ s just had a C-section ; her wound is going to be sore for weeks and months . And the same with a more traditional vaginal delivery . Any bleeding , having quicker access to her care to be here if something happens versus if she ’ s out of town or out of state . which made it an ideal location for the new NICU wing , which will cost $ 2.5 million .
Leslie said donations from individuals and companies have helped push them closer to their goal . She said the hospital aims to have the project paid in full by the end of the year . The foundation made the new NICU wing its main project last year .
In December OnCue donated a historic amount of money to support the new wing . According to a press release , OnCue gifted $ 1,000,000 to the hospital , the largest single gift Stillwater Medical has received .
Leslie said the foundation hosted a gala fundraiser last year , raising more than half a million dollars for the NICU . Even with all the donations , the NICU project still needs approximately $ 1 million , so more donations are required to provide better care for local babies . In 2021 , 861 babies were born at Stillwater Medical . According to the Stillwater Medical Foundation website , 11.2 % of live births in 2020 were born prematurely in Oklahoma . For the same year , 8.4 % of live births were low birthweight .
Babies in the NICU aren ’ t only there if they are premature . Babies can have various issues once they are born , requiring different care levels . Leslie said this is why the community needs to have the new NICU .
So what does the new upgrade entail ?
The NICU wing could hold up to eight babies . There will be two family sleep rooms and 10 private patient rooms .
The new wing will have one nursery , waiting area , conference room , hospitality room , bereavement room , and employee lactation room .
Leslie said since the hospital serves all communities around Stillwater , the new wing will benefit everyone , not just families with babies in the NICU .
She also said there might be opportunities where families from another state or another part of Oklahoma to come to Stillwater to use the new NICU wing . This will economically support the community too .
Leslie said this is more than just a NICU wing for her and other families in this situation . To her , it ’ s a passion project .
“ It was probably the thing that helped me personally feel like there ’ s purpose in pain ... when I learned that they were doing this , it felt like everything that had happened in life was kind of pointing to this ,” Leslie said . “ To come back and work for this place that already feels like home and now is going to have a place to save babies ’ lives and in a way that has been so formative in my life .” SwOk
The idea for a new wing
About a year ago , Stillwater Medical was chosen as the perfect place to upgrade its NICU unit . The hospital was already remodeling its Women ’ s Health Center ,
STORY BY : Ashlynd Huffman Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
PHOTOS : Provided
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 21