neonatal intensive care unit

Parents are key members (partners) of the NICU team.  Our goal is to involve you as fully as possible in your baby's journey.  We hope that you find the following information helpful.

When newborns are critically ill or premature, they require intensive care provided by a Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), such as the one at Ball Memorial Hospital. The Birthing Center's unit is equipped with 17 beds providing critically ill and unstable newborns with technologically complex care, as well as constant observation and monitoring.

The unit is staffed with two board-certified neonatologists, a pediatrician, a neonatal nurse practitioner, specially trained nursing staff and respiratory therapists.

Family centered care is the core value of the NICU. Our goal is to provide a family focused atmosphere and developmental supportive environment for you and your infant. Each infant is viewed for their uniqueness, and the goal is to form a partnership with families while providing care for their infant.

First Steps Early Intervention Services

The first three years of your child's life are so important.  Human learning and development are most rapid in the time from birth to age 3.  It is so important to give your child the best start possible.  The earlier a child with a disability or a developmental delay is diagnosed and received help, the better that child's ultimate quality of life.

The social worker at Ball Memorial Hospital will collaborate with First Steps if your infant qualifies prior to leaving the NICU.  If a developmental delay is noted during NICU Follow Up Clinic (offered to NICU graduates), the pediatric therapist will notify First Steps.

Mission

To assure that all Indiana families with infants and toddlers experiencing developmental delays or disabilities have access to early intervention services close to home when they need them.  This is accomplished through the implementation of a comprehensive coordinated statewide system of local interagency councils called first steps.

http://www.state.in.us/fssa/first_step/

Leadership

Medical director - Donna Wilkins, M.D.

Thomas Kundenreich, M.D.

Prakash Boohpalam, M.D.

Manager - Donna Wilcox, RN

Nurse practitioner:  Sindee Fry, RNC, NNP, IBCLC

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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

2401 University Ave.

Muncie, IN 47303

(765) 747-3370