Children’s Wisconsin is excited to announce the expansion of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Children’s Wisconsin Fox Valley Hospital, increasing patient capacity from 22 to 28 with the addition of a new six-bed pod.
The new bedspace will allow the NICU to meet high demand for elevated, specialized newborn care in communities across northeast Wisconsin. As a Level III NICU, the unit regularly receives patient transports from other medical centers across northeast Wisconsin, helping to keep families closer to home.
“This expansion strengthens our ability to care for newborns in the Fox Valley and beyond, especially those who need critical care,” said Sarah Pouzar, Executive Director of the Northeast Region at Children’s Wisconsin. “We’re proud to offer a space that not only reflects the expertise of our staff but also supports the needs of our littlest patients and their families.”
The updated space offers family-centered amenities, including more bedside space for bonding, an expanded private lactation room with more natural lighting and a private room designed for families to practice caring for their babies before going home.
Each bedspace features a custom jungle-themed mural by a local artist, Kelly Wyngaard. Wyngaard is a former NICU parent herself and painted murals in the NICU’s existing pods more than a decade ago.
“To me, the mural represents the love and dedication of the nurses, doctors, and staff who work tirelessly to help these babies grow strong enough to go home,” Wyngaard said. “I also hope the mural helps create a sense of comfort and familiarity, giving the NICU a feeling of “home,” because in many ways, it is a baby’s very first nursery."
As part of this renovation project, two pediatric rooms have also been remodeled to create a better patient and family experience while receiving IV infusion treatment and neurological monitoring.
Photos of the new space are available in Dropbox.
About Children’s Wisconsin
Recognized as one of the leading pediatric health systems in the country, Children’s Wisconsin is the only health system in Wisconsin solely dedicated to the health and well-being of kids. Children’s Wisconsin pediatric specialty care physicians have been providing services in the northeast region of the state for more than 25 years. In 2001, Children’s Wisconsin began operating its Neenah hospital, which is located on the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah campus. Children’s Wisconsin Fox Valley Child Advocacy Center opened in 2004 to care for children who have been victims of neglect and abuse. Other area services include well-being and community health programs. Learn more at childrenswi.org.