Media Relations

FOUNDATION MAKES MILLION-DOLLAR DONATION TO INFANT CARE

January 2006 – Almost $1 million has been invested in the community’s neonatal care in the past 12 months by the Baptist Health Care Foundation through grants to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Baptist Medical Center South and Baptist Medical Center East.

Almost half of that amount, at $440,000, was dedicated to purchasing 12 cutting-edge beds to care for the most critically ill premature babies.

Called “giraffes” because of their long-necked shape, the units allow nurses to provide critical care while maintaining temperature, humidity and other environmental factors in the care of preemies. The units combine the functions of a traditional incubator with a radiant warmer that simulates as closely as possible a mother’s uterus.

Lisa Hudson, operations manager for NICU at Baptist Medical Center South, and Linda Gipson, vice president of Patient Care Services, made a proposal to the foundation to acquire the units. Each giraffe bed costs about $40,000, and the foundation’s Birdies for Babies golf tournament, Rattles & Racquets tennis tournament and private donations helped raise the funds to purchase the beds.

A grandmother of three former patients in the NICU felt called to donate after hearing about the giraffe units from the foundation. Cindy Fitzpatrick hand delivered her donation because she feels so strongly about the units’ possibilities.

The 12 beds are just the first step, and Hudson says the goal is to acquire four more. A direct mail campaign is underway, and on Feb. 28 Carrabba’s Italian Grill will sponsor a Mardi Gras gala at the RSA Activity Center. The event will feature dinner, dancing and a live and silent auction. Tickets are $50 per person and $75 per couple.

The remaining $500,000 gifted by the foundation was dedicated to the renovation and expansion of the Baptist Medical Center East NICU.

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact Michelle Jones at 273-4386.