Winchester Hospital is among the top birthing centers in the Greater Boston area. Each year, the hospital is trusted by more than 2,500 families to welcome their newborns into the world.
Here, Al Campbell, RN, MBA, President of Winchester Hospital, and Karen McAlmon, MD, Director of the Special Care Nursery, discuss the hospital’s legacy of providing exceptional care and share their vision for a redesigned Special Care Nursery—an ongoing effort made possible by philanthropic support.
Can you speak to the Special Care Nursery and why it is invaluable to families?
McAlmon: No one expects to have a baby that requires extra care, however, one tenth of the babies born at the hospital require treatment in the Special Care Nursery. Moderately ill newborns, premature infants, and infants who require special services are treated here, and the majority remain hospitalized beyond the time of their mother’s discharge home. When you need us, we are here, because it is important for families to have access to high-quality care locally, where they can remain close to home and their support systems.
Campbell: At Winchester, we have obstetric providers, anesthesia support, and neonatologists who meet the needs of birthing parents and their newborns around the clock. We offer a full complement of care so families don’t have to travel into Boston. It’s a privilege to be with our community members and their growing families each step of the birthing process.
Can you tell us about the Special Care Nursery team?
McAlmon: The Special Care Nursery team consists of neonatologists (pediatricians specializing in newborns), nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, social workers and other professionals, who all play a role in supporting newborns and their families. Neonatologists provide care on site 24 hours a day. All the neonatologists on the team rotate through the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where they gain invaluable experience with the latest medical advances and techniques. Our team takes a trauma-informed approach that respects the culture of each family and delivers the compassionate care that is a hallmark of Winchester Hospital. We continue to advance and adopt new innovations in order to ensure the highest level of care for our babies and families.
What sets Winchester’s birth services apart, and why do you think so many people choose to deliver here?
Campbell: Over the last eight decades, Winchester Hospital has delivered more than 107,000 babies. Generations have been born, had their own children, and are now welcoming grandchildren within the same walls. It is amazing to hear from a grandparent whose grandchild is receiving care from the same nurse who delivered their child.
I think something that sets us apart—and a reason people continually return to Winchester—is that we have such a great culture here with a strong emphasis on teamwork. Winchester Hospital has continued to grow while still maintaining the hometown feel, which directly impacts the way we provide care. The members of our workforce are committed—there are some that have worked here for over 50 years. Amazing things happen here because it’s an environment where everyone collaborates and supports each other.
What is the vision for the future of the Special Care Nursey at Winchester Hospital?
McAlmon: The vision for the Special Care Nursery is to remain a high-quality, state-of-the-art unit. The planned renovation will help us to do that by aligning the physical space with our expert care and further enhance the experience for patients, families, and providers. Updating this area will allow for private rooms that facilitate crucial bonding time for growing families, while the increased space will provide more capacity for the use of leading-edge monitoring equipment at the bedside. A new, centralized nurses’ station will increase efficiency and visibility, leading to more streamlined care delivery. All these upgrades and enhancements are meant to keep our newborns healthy with the latest technology in a calm, comfortable, and healing environment.
Campbell: We are positioning Winchester Hospital for further growth and enhanced services to ensure the Special Care Nursery meets the needs of our newborns for generations to come. Philanthropy is a vital part of enabling Winchester Hospital to continue serving our community with high-quality care, close to home. We hope you can join us in this critical effort.
For more information about the Special Care Nursery and ways to support this initiative, please contact David Hyman, Market Vice President, Philanthropy, via email or by phone at (617) 313-1194.