In a significant achievement, Memorial Health’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Savannah, Georgia, has been awarded the prestigious Level IV designation by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Georgia Department of Public Health. This recognition marks the highest level of care available for premature or critically ill newborns.

Paisley Drury, a mother who recently experienced the exceptional care at Memorial Health, shared her story of being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. Initially, she was treated at a local hospital in Wayne County before being transferred to Memorial Health for specialized care. “I ended up going to the E.R. in Wayne County, where we’re from,” she explained. “So, they decided to send me over here.”

The Drurys expressed no surprise at the hospital’s recent accolade, acknowledging the outstanding care they received. “We are super excited to announce that the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Department of Public Health in the state of Georgia has awarded us and we’ve earned a level four accreditation,” stated Brad Buckler, the medical director for Memorial Health’s Level IV NICU.

The recognition by these esteemed organizations highlights the commitment and expertise of Memorial Health in providing top-tier medical care for the most vulnerable patients, reinforcing its reputation as a leading institution in neonatal care.

“We are super excited to announce that the American Academy of Pediatrics and then the Department of Public Health in the state of Georgia has awarded us and we’ve earned a level four accreditation,” said Brad Buckler, medical director for Memorial Health’s Level IV NICU.

Buckler said Memorial Health is the first Regional Perinatal Center/Birthing Hospital in Georgia to be designated as an AAP-accredited Level IV Neonatal Center. He added that the designation comes after a thorough review of the NICU’s capabilities.

Level IV NICUs are equipped to care for infants with complex medical problems and those who need advanced surgical repair. Specialists are on site around the clock, and the unit can perform advanced imaging, including MRI and echocardiography.

Babies can be resuscitated as early as 22 weeks’ gestation through post-term. The NICU also offers high-frequency ventilation and total body cooling and will soon add dialysis to its services.

“To me, this is just such an achievement because we have worked so hard to reach multiple different levels throughout the time I’ve worked here and to reach a level four status is just absolutely amazing,” said Heather Heery, a registered nurse at Memorial Health.

Buckler added, “We have a family-centered focus care, so we want the families to be part of that care that we’re providing to their babies. And so, this is just one more little step to say, hey, we’re able to provide the highest level of care to those babies.”

Since 2018, Memorial Health and HCA Healthcare have added 28 NICU beds and invested $30 million in the unit, giving families more space and access to top-level care close to home.