NICU at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. Photo by Mindy C. Miller

Phase one of the Neonatal ICU expansion at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital is nearing completion, with intensive care patients moving into the new space in November. In the renovated NICU, our tiniest, most vulnerable patients will receive care in four areas known as “neighborhoods.”

SEE PHOTOS OF THE NEWLY RENOVATED SPACE HERE

The neighborhoods will be housed in one contiguous space and named Ladybug, Dragonfly, Bumblebee and Hummingbird. While neonatal intermediate care and intensive care babies will generally be separated by neighborhood, each space is designed to meet the needs of all NICU patients — regardless of their level of care.

The neighborhoods will be comfortable, family-focused areas with whimsical nature themes in harmony with the rest of the children’s hospital. The 68-bed space will have semi-private areas, as well as private rooms to help meet the education and discharge planning needs of families.

“One of our great joys is that the neighborhoods will be able to better accommodate babies,” said Beth Talaga, M.S.N., ARNP, UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital NICU nurse manager. “We will have more flexibility to meet patients’ needs without being restrained by location.”

Join us from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26 to tour the new space.