Kristin Trawinski Answers Questions About the NICU

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a special place where highly-trained doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals give the smallest and sickest babies around-the-clock care. GBMC's NICU treats more than 400 babies every year. To make the care even more centered on the needs of patients and their families, GBMC is raising funds to support the opening of a new NICU! In this interview with Ashley James from ABC2-News, NICU Clinical Manager, Kristin Trawinski, MSN, RN, explained details about the renovation project and how to get involved in the upcoming Father's Day 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk on June 17, 2018.

All of the proceeds from this year's event will go directly towards the renovation, which will be in a larger space that provides individual rooms for each family. The rooms are designed to minimize outside noise and they can adjust lighting to fit each baby's specific needs. Every room will also have a Kangaroo chair — a chair designed to help with skin-to-skin bonding and breastfeeding. There are sleeping rooms in the NICU for parents who want to stay with their child and while they are being treated, they are encouraged to take part in their baby's care.

Families go through a roller coaster of emotions when their baby is admitted to the NICU. GBMC’s incredibly dedicated nurses provide evidence-based care to the infants, while comforting and educating their parents. They often form bonds that extend long after the baby's discharge from the hospital.

This renovation is possible because of the generous donors in the community. The Father's Day 5K is one of the biggest fundraisers for the NICU. The event takes place on GBMC’s beautiful Towson campus and the entire family is encouraged to participate. Click here to register and start fundraising!