Baby Michael was born in December 2022, weighing less than 2 pounds. Look at him now.
Stephanie Violi, of Royal Palm Beach, was 24 weeks pregnant when her water broke unexpectedly and for no apparent reason. The condition, called Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM), sent her to Wellington Regional Medical Center for bed rest. Six days later, on December 3, 2022, she gave birth to baby Michael, who weighed 1 pound, 13 ounces.
After birth, Michael was taken to the hospital’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU for short, which is specially equipped and staffed to provide specialized care for the most fragile newborns. The 15,000-square-foot unit provides advanced technology and intensive monitoring in a comfortable environment.
“The care at the NICU was amazing,” said Stephanie. “All of the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and occupational therapists, who provide infant massage and hydrotherapy, went above and beyond daily to provide excellent care. They are very dedicated to all of the patients and their families, and provide all of the babies with so much love and care.”
'We are forever grateful'
Stephanie and her husband Michael had no idea what to expect and were very worried, but everything was explained to them every step of the way. “All healthcare workers are superheroes, but the ones that work with babies, they are extra special and are sent from God,” Stephanie said. “We are forever grateful.”
“We are proud of our Level III NICU which offers care to the most critical babies,” said Edith Spencer-Morales, MD, Medical Director of Neonatology. “From the latest technology to our team’s significant clinical experience, our expertise is demonstrated by large patient volumes and complexity of care. Our evidence-based guidelines result in excellent patient outcomes.”
Baby Michael remained in the NICU until mid-March, near Stephanie’s due date of March 18. His parents were able to visit him any time of the day or night.
“We would highly recommend the NICU here at Wellington because of the dedication and care my son received,” added Stephanie. “They treat the patient and family like their own family. We are so thankful.”
Specialized Care offered for newborns
Most parents are able to take their newborn baby home when they leave the hospital, but some infants require additional care.
Our 25-bed, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides medical treatment for some of the highest risk pregnancies, as well as the sickest and tiniest of babies. The beautiful, 15,000-square-foot unit offers highly advanced technology in a comfortable environment.
With a caring staff of specialized NICU nurses and respiratory therapists, along with support from the departments of radiology, laboratory, physical therapy and pharmacy, the WRMC Level III NICU is committed to caring for your baby’s individual needs.
Neonatologists, physicians trained in the care of the sickest and smallest newborns, are on staff and in-house 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are just steps away in an emergency.
The hospital’s Level III services represent our continued commitment to providing specialized care for newborns.