Stamford Health Unveils New Cohen Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Information via Stamford Health

STAMFORD, CT — On June 22, Stamford Health unveiled its newly renovated Cohen Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Whittingham Pavilion on the Bennett Medical Center Campus.

The modernization was funded in large part by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, which made a $5 million philanthropic commitment to the initiative in October 2021.

Donors, community and board members, and Stamford Health employees attended the grand opening event where Stamford Health President & CEO Kathleen Silard and Department of Pediatrics Chair Dr. Gerry Rakos gave remarks and took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially kicking off a new era of neonatal care at Stamford Health.

The Cohen NICU features 15 beds across five single rooms, one quad room and three double rooms, two of which are adjoining to accommodate triplets. There is also a "transition room" which allows parents to stay comfortably overnight and will be used to prepare families for a smooth discharge from the hospital. In addition to a spacious central nursing station, the NICU features a new parent and family lounge which will foster a sense of community and provide parents with a space where they can relax, review educational materials and talk with other new parents.

"The modernization of our NICU ensures that we will continue to deliver the best possible care to our tiniest patients and their parents," said Silard, according to a news release. "We are grateful for the continued support of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, whose generous commitment made this momentous occasion possible and has funded Stamford Health’s critical pediatric services like our pediatric emergency department, inpatient unit and specialty center all under the umbrella of The Cohen Children’s Institute."

Alex Cohen, president of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, said she's proud to support neonatal care and the new unit.

"This updated space will ensure that mothers and babies have the best possible start at a critical moment and can access excellent care right here in our community," she siad in a news release.

For four consecutive years, Stamford Health’s NICU has received the Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence award for patient experience. The modernization of the NICU widens the range of care Stamford Health delivers.

With an updated space and new technology, The Cohen NICU is equipped to deliver best-in-class care to newborns who are preterm, have congenital defects, or are born with respiratory, neurological or other conditions.

Additional features of the new NICU include acoustic separation to reduce noise, adjustable circadian lighting and enhanced privacy to allow parents to better bond with and care for their newborn(s) and to enhance each baby’s healing and growth.

The announcement is part of a multi-pronged approach from Stamford Health to increase access to women’s and baby's health services in the area.

In addition to the updated NICU, Stamford Health recently announced two new grants: one to fund a Community Health Worker Program focused on serving Stamford’s Haitian and Hispanic/Latino communities and another to fund breast services including mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast MRI and biopsies for underinsured and uninsured patients.

Dr. Siobhan Dolan was also recently appointed chair, OB-GYN, for the health system.