HMHP, Akron Children's create special care nursery at St. E's

YOUNGSTOWN — Akron Children’s Hospital and Humility of Mary Health Partners have collaborated to create a neonatal special care nursery at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

The 20-bed special care nursery takes care of newborns with developmental problems such as immature lungs, central nervous system disorders, low birth weight and birth defects. St. Elizabeth’s doctors and Akron Children’s nurses staff the unit seven days a week, officials said.

“This partnership enhances the quality of care for sick and premature newborns, allowing maternity parents and their babies to access the high quality care of both hospitals under one roof,” said Dr. Elena Rossi, chairwoman of the Pediatrics Department at St. Elizabeth.

In 2006, nearly 900 newborns were treated in the neonatal intensive care and special care units operated by Akron Children’s in Akron, and about 400 special care newborns were treated at St. Elizabeth.

The combined program here is expected to serve an estimated 500 newborns here during its first full year of operation, Dr. Rossi said.