The March of Dimes’ mission is to “improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.” The organization achieves this mission through research, education, community service, and advocacy programs.

Through its Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center™, the March of Dimes delivers free counseling to prospective and new mothers on topics like conception, health during pregnancy, newborn screening, and community resources. Meanwhile the March of Dimes funds genetic research to discover cures and treatments for genetic birth defects. So far, March of Dimes grantees have uncovered potential treatments for both hemophilia and retinitis pigmentosa.

Lawnwood’s March for Babies Walk Team

Each year, over one million people in more than 900 communities participate in the March of Dimes’ March for Babies campaign. Since the walks began in 1970, the fundraisers have earned more than $1.8 billion. March of Dimes spends 76 cents of every dollar raised on fulfilling its mission.

This year, the nurses of Lawnwood’s Women and Children’s Unit and the Birthing Center’s Neonatal Unit came together to represent the hospital in the March for Babies. The team consistently represents Lawnwood well. This year the Lawnwood Walk for Babies team had 26 members and earned recognition as for collecting one of the top ten donations in all of St. Lucie County.

Two hundred forty babies who were born prematurely or required special neonatal care were given the best possible start into the world last year in Lawnwood’s Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

With board-certified neonatologists on staff, RNs and respiratory therapists who are certified in neonatal care resuscitation, new moms and dads can rest assured that their tiny new arrivals are in the best hands possible.

“We are the only Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in St. Lucie County,” notes Beth McNees, RN, LRMC, Director of Women Children Services. Any baby over 1,000 grams or 2 lbs. 3 oz. can be cared for in our unit. In addition to St. Lucie County, the primary referral sources for our babies, come from Indian River and Okeechobee Counties.”

Lawnwood’s Level II NICU also holds Childrens’ Medical Services provider status and has pediatric subspecialty support from physicians who cover the following specialty areas:

• Pediatric cardiology

• Pediatric pulmonology

• Pediatric neurology

• Pediatric endocrinology

• Pediatric orthopedics

In addition to utilizing all the latest state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, which graphically displays vital signs and oxygen saturation, our babies benefit from a softer touch as well. Music therapy has been found to be beneficial to premature babies as they orient themselves to life outside the womb.

Once babies go home from the hospital, they always hold a special place in the hearts of their temporary caregivers, the NICU nurses, physicians, and staff.

In the spring, we celebrate the graduates from our NICU unit with a party provided by our dedicated NICU staff.  This time is enjoyed by the NICU graduates, as well as their parents, siblings and friends.

“We are dedicated to bringing together all the technology and medical expertise to care for these infants who are placed in our care during the most fragile days and weeks of their new lives. In the same way, we are here to promote bonding of the infants with their parents and siblings.  We provide education and training so they’ll feel comfortable taking their child home when the time is right.”

For a tour of the area or to gain more information about the Level II NICU services, contact Kerrie Hurley, 772-461-4000, extension 4895.