Newburgh - Weighing just three pounds, 15 ounces, the premature newborn was whisked from the delivery room to St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital’s Elaine Kaplan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), becoming the first baby cared for by the NICU team. That was September 1, 1997, and the infant’s early arrival marked the beginning for the team of specialized physicians and nurses who have gone on to save the lives of more than 2,500 infants. The baby, the NICU’s first success story, was discharged four weeks later.
Each year, the children and families whose lives have been touched by the lifesaving work of the NICU team are invited to a celebration hosted by the St. Luke’s Cornwall Health System Foundation Auxiliary. This year’s event, the 13th Annual Graduate Birthday Party, was held recently at Chadwick Lake Park in Newburgh and was attended by nearly 300 guests including former patients and their families, as well as NICU staff, hospital board members, administrators, elected officials and members of the Kaplan family. One family spoke emotionally about their positive NICU experiences and staff members could be seen hugging youngsters and being reacquainted with families.
Auxiliary President, Eileen Osterby, was elated by the joy she saw each family exhibit as they laughed and enjoyed themselves throughout the event. "We are pleased to host such a wonderful celebration of the children and parents who’s lives have been changed for the better by the SLCH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the caregivers who devote their time to help make miracles an every day occurrence. It is such an honor to watch families return each year to reconnect with Dr. KP and his dedicated staff."
Named for the late Elaine Kaplan, a local philanthropist who, with her family, identified the need for enhanced health care for infants in this community, our NICU is the only Level II neonatal program in Orange County and offers a transport service for critically ill babies born at other hospitals without neonatal expertise.
The NICU team cares for premature infants and newborns that are affected by infections, birth defects, breathing difficulties and growth restriction. All babies receive a high level of care in a compassionate environment. A leader in neonatal medicine, the unit was the first to regularly screen for hearing loss before it was mandated by the New York State Department of Health.
