South Shore University Hospital To Open New, Multi-Million NICU

BAY SHORE, NY — A Suffolk County hospital is continuing its promise to treat critically ill newborns with the utmost care.

South Shore University Hospital (SSUH) in Bay Shore announced the opening of a state-of-the-art, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a news release said on Tuesday.

The department, which will open this week, will be a 6,300-square-foot space, dedicated to treating the most seriously ill and premature babies.

The NICU is part of a $71 million capital improvement plan to revolutionize the maternity and women’s services programs at SSUH.

“This new NICU is designed to be family-centered with private rooms that encourage parents to stay with their babies while they grow and heal,” said Dr. Scarlett McKinsey, associate director of neonatology for Northwell’s eastern region. “Parents will have the privacy they need to learn to care and bond for their babies, while doctors will be able to participate in rounds in a private environment.”

The hospital's NICU currently has 11 rooms and will eventually grow to 16 rooms. Each room has a pull-out bed for parents and features the "highest-level" medical equipment available for newborns.

“The construction of this facility shows Northwell’s commitment to providing quality, compassionate care before and after delivery,” said Dr. Jolene Muscat, vice chair of OB/GYN at SSUH. “This transformation has made SSUH the pre-eminent destination for women’s health care in Suffolk County.”

The NICU is part of a $500 million, five-year investment in South Shore University Hospital to expand both services and quality of care to Suffolk County residents.

To learn more about SSUH's OB/GYN department, click here.