Akron Children's assumes operations of St. Joseph peds unit

WARREN

Akron Children’s Hospital continued its expansion into Trumbull County by taking over operation of the pediatric-care unit last week at Mercy St. Joseph Warren Hospital.

Akron Children’s also is developing and will operate a six-bed, Level II special-care nursery at St. Joseph scheduled to open later this year, hospital officials said.

The special-care nursery will be on the second floor, down the hall from the pediatric unit and the maternity/obstetrics unit, which is operated by St. Joseph Warren Hospital.

Akron Children’s monetary investment in the special-care nursery is $375,000. Also, 12 nurses, three secretaries and a manager have been hired for the new unit.

A Level II unit is able to care for babies born up to eight weeks premature, which is at or greater than 32 weeks gestation, and babies who weigh at least 3 pounds, and who are physiologically immature, such as those who have breathing problems or are unable to feed orally, hospital officials said.

The physician in charge of the pediatric unit and the special-care nursery when it opens is Dr. Scott B. Beichner, D.O, who is board-certified in pediatrics. He joined the Akron Children’s staff last fall.

“We are working hard to bring together the best of both organizations and to integrate quality monitoring and performance-improvement programs to enhance the care of our young patients,” said Dr. Elena Rossi, neonatologist and associate chairwoman of pediatrics for Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

Read more about the new facility in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.