Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

The UPMC Hamot Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), located in the UPMC Hamot Women’s Hospital, is a 24-bed Level III facility that serves the specialized needs of high-risk infants. The NICU staff focuses on delivering a high level of clinical expertise in a family-centered and developmentally sensitive atmosphere.

UPMC Hamot’s NICU team is made up of many health care professionals with special training and skills. The neonatologist, pediatrician, and neonatal nurse practitioner work as a team, discussing each baby’s needs and progress. Working together, our nurses and support staff ensure that each infant in our care receives the treatment he or she needs.  Some of the team members include:

Neonatologist - Leader of the NICU team; a pediatrician with special training and skills in the care of premature and sick newborn babies (neonates).

Pediatrician - A physician who specializes in the care of infants and children.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - A RN who has completed an advanced educational program in neonatology and works under the direction of the neonatologist.

Babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) need special care. The need for this type of care and the technology can be hard to understand and accept. We help parents and other family members to understand treatment and plan of care for baby. Our NICU staff is ready to answer questions and support families who are dealing with the natural emotions of having their precious loved one in a special care area. Even though your baby can't go home just yet, your baby's birth is still a very special event to be shared with people who love and welcome him or her into the world, and into your family.