43
Special care nursery to open at Warren St. Joseph
WARREN
Akron Children’s Hospital continued its expansion into Trumbull County by taking over operation of the pediatric-care unit last week at Mercy Health 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.
“St. Joseph is proud to bring Akron Children’s advanced pediatric and neonatal services to Trumbull County,” said Kathy Cook, president of St. Joseph Warren Hospital.
“This relationship will build upon St. Joseph’s strong pediatric program and make it easier for Trumbull County families to access a full range of pediatric services,” Cook said.
“This will allow us another way to fulfill our promise to care for all children as we would our own and to work tirelessly so all children can reach their full potential,” said Shawn Lyden, executive vice president of Akron Children’s Hospital.
The relationship with St. Joseph Warren expands Akron Children’s commitment to children in the Mahoning Valley, said Dr. Rossi, who has worked closely with the obstetricians and pediatricians in Trumbull County for more than 20 years.
The affiliation with St. Joseph Warren is the latest Akron Children’s expansion into Trumbull County.
In November 2014, Akron Children’s opened an outpatient pediatric subspecialty care office at The Market Place in Warren that offers cardiology, urology, neurology, orthopedics, electrocardiogram, lab and radiology services.
The 5,000-square-foot facility at 5000 E. Market St. has nine examination rooms, three assessment rooms, ultrasound, lab draw area, radiology room, echocardiogram room, nurses’ stations and a physician charting area.
“It’s important for families to stay close to home when finding quality health care,” said Lisa Taafe, clinical administrative director, Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.