Wellspring

In This Issue

• These Are Curious Times
• A Changing Arsenal
• A Shocking Diagnosis for a Man
• A One-in-a-Million Breast Cancer Diagnosis
• She Knows the Value of Mammograms
• Mastectomy Was Her Decision
• She's Making Each Day Count
• Grandmother's Strategy: Fight and Pray
• Clinical Trials Advance Treatment Options
• Breast Cancer Surgery Options
• Radiation Therapy Can Keep Cancer from Returning
• Stages of Breast Cancer
• Join the Army of Women Helping Breast Cancer Research
• Ten Cancer Myths
• Breast Cancer Death Rates on the Decline
• Lymphedema Management Program
• Understanding Breast Cancer
• Breast Cancer Getting the Facts, Finding Hope
• NorthBay Cancer Center Earns Approval with Six Commendations
• Relay Rallies Funds for American Cancer Society
• Digital Mammography Now Available at Women's Imaging Center
• Cardiac Surgery Has Successful Start
• First Mended Hearts Chapter Forms
• Saving a Heart of Gold
• NorthBay Awarded Chest Pain Center Designation
• NorthBay Health Care Launches Heart & Vascular Interventional Program
• Samer Kanaan, MD Joins Heart & Vascular Surgical Team
• A Dream With Wings
• NorthBay Invests in Green Technology
• Joint Replacement Program Celebrates Second Anniversary
• A Lifetime of Giving
• Wellspring Garners Publication Awards
• NorthBay Guild 'Care Carts' Visit Patients
• Local Teens Take on Nurse Camp
• Genentech's STRIDE Shares Gift with NorthBay's ABC Clinic
• NorthBay's Web Site Has New Look
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Celebrates 24 Years
• Experts Team Up for NorthBay Lecture Series
• Welcome New Physicians Fall 2009
• Community Health Education Classes

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Celebrates 24 Years

September 18, 2009 · No Comments

Games, face painting and a police K-9 demonstration were just part of the fun at the Aug. 22 celebration of the 23rd annual Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) party at the NorthBay Healthcare Administration Center in Green Valley.

"The reunion is a chance for NICU physicians and staff to visit with former patients and families to see how the children have grown," says NICU Unit Clerk Janelle Chenoweth. "We look forward to this party every year."

Organized by Chenoweth and NICU Nurse Megan King, R.N., the party, which drew about 200 guests, including NICU graduates and their families, had a "Safety First" theme. Fairfield's emergency responders all participated, giving the children and their families a close-up look at a fire engine, ambulance and police car.

A major attraction was a police K-9 demonstration. Fairfield Police Officer and K-9 handler Kevin Carella put his German shepherd, Cero, through his paces and then the gentle dog allowed all of the children to pet him. K-9 trainer Corporal Troy Freeman and Officer Dave Neal helped with the demonstration.

Falcon Ambulance EMTs Josh Thoming and Jennifer Johnson gave children a tour through their two critical care transport ambulances. The Fairfield Fire Department was represented by Capt. Warren Ducioame, Engineer Ted Collins and Firefighter Rian Lathrop who let the kids sit in the driver' seat.

NorthBay Guild volunteers helped staff the games, the food court and an ice cream parlor.

Neonatologist Steven Gwiazdowski, M.D., represented the NICU physicians, visiting with many of the children he delivered or cared for while they were in the NICU.

Angela Ware's daughter, Amberle Geliberte, was delivered earlier this year by Dr. Gwiazdowski and spent two months in the NICU. "It was a tough time for us, but we loved the staff," Ware says. "They were wonderful."

NorthBay Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a 16-bed, Level 2 facility, which means it can care for all but babies in the most critical of health. Opened in 1985 and enlarged in 1992, the NICU cares for about 180 to 200 babies a year.

Tags: Healthcare News