Local Ladies Donate to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., December 1, 2016 On Nov. 29, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary President Pat McCarthy presented donated handmade isolette covers for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

As incubators for sick and premature babies, the isolettes in the hospitals new 16-bed Level II NICU control the temperature, humidity and oxygen supply. The new donated covers will help limit these babies overstimulation to the lights and sounds.

The newborns in our NICU are often premature, born before their neurological system has matured, said Becky Vernon, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center director of women and children's services. A preemie's eyes are very sensitive to light and overstimulation can cause stress and deter rest, as well as cause the heart rate to drop. These isolette covers are a wonderful gift, as they will provide a protective light barrier across the incubator.

Marge Passalacqua and Edna Sambrook represented Quilters by the Sea who made the 32 double-sided covers with materials purchased by the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary from the Byrds Nest Quilt Shop in Ormond Beach.

From the Aberdeen community in Ormond Beach, Carol Stottle with the Knit and Crochet Group and Susan Troci of the Sassy Stitchers group, also donated handmade baby blankets, hats and booties, as well as breastfeeding pillow and eye covers.

Opened in August, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Centers NICU cares for newborns 32 weeks and older, and is the only NICU in Volusia County with private, family-centered rooms, allowing parents to stay 24 hours a day with their babies.

About Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center

Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 46 hospital campuses and nearly 8,200 licensed beds in 10 states. Our locations include Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach and Florida Hospital Oceanside in Ormond Beach, as well as outpatient facilities in Port Orange, Daytona Beach Shores and New Smyrna Beach. With 277-beds, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center is one of the six Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties that composes the Florida Hospital East Florida Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the Florida Hospital East Florida Region has 907 beds and more than 6,000 employees. With a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, the Florida Hospital East Florida Region collectively contributed nearly $120 million in benefits in 2015 to the underprivileged, the community's overall health and wellness and spiritual needs, and capital improvements. For more information about Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, visit www.floridahospitalmemorial.org.