Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Baylor University Medical Center
Donor support plays a meaningful role in advancing care for our tiniest patients, enhancing specialized treatment for micro-preemies, strengthening family support and providing advanced equipment to give these fragile infants the best possible start in life.
A critical lifeline for our tiniest patients
For more than a century, Baylor University Medical Center has been a trusted leader in maternal and infant care in Dallas. From opening our doors in 1903 to the Florence Nightingale Maternity Hospital in 1937 to today, we have been the place to deliver babies in Dallas—continuing to set the standard for excellence in maternal and infant care.
Through ongoing investment by both the healthcare system and philanthropy, we support our patients with the expertise, latest technology and compassionate care needed to ensure the best birth experiences and outcomes.
A strong history of maternal and newborn care
Each year, more than 4,000 babies are born at Baylor University Medical Center, with 600 requiring specialized care in the Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)—the highest level of neonatal care available.
As one of only 24 Level IV NICUs in Texas, BUMC provides life-saving treatment for the most fragile newborns—micro-preemies born as early as 24 weeks, full-term infants with life-threatening conditions and babies facing challenges such as underdeveloped lungs, brain bleeds, and long-term developmental risks. The care they receive in their earliest moments shapes the rest of their lives.
The growing need for specialized neonatal care
Advancements in neonatal medicine have significantly improved outcomes, but the demand for quality, family-centered care continues to rise. Premature birth remains one of the leading causes of infant mortality, and many high-risk newborns require weeks or months of intensive support to survive and thrive. For these fragile patients, timely access to advanced treatments, cutting-edge technology and multidisciplinary expertise can make all the difference.
For these tiny babies, the best outcomes result from being born in the right place. BUMC has achieved the highest designations awarded in Texas for both maternal care and neonatal care, allowing us to offer specialized care and expertise to both the sickest moms and the sickest babies in our community.
Alongside the critical care babies receive, families face unimaginable emotional and physical challenges. We know our NICU families need more than just medical treatment—they need a compassionate support system to help them endure this difficult journey, offering guidance, comfort and hope every step of the way.
Delivering advanced care
Philanthropy plays a pivotal role in supporting the specialized care provided in the BUMC NICU. From advanced technology to family-centered support programs, these resources are critical to improving the outcomes and experiences of our tiniest patients and their families. Some of the key initiatives include:
- The Tiniest Texans® Program: When babies are born at less than 28 weeks gestation or weigh less than 1,000 grams, every moment counts. The instant a micro-preemie leaves its mother’s womb, the Tiniest Texans Team at BUMC steps into action with interventions designed to ensure the best future for the smallest, most fragile babies. Established in 2019, this program provides care that exceeds typical NICU standards, offering a specialized 10-bed space and a highly trained care team. The program is designed not only to save lives but also to reduce developmental and physical disabilities that could impact a child for a lifetime.
- Advanced equipment, with the latest technology: Philanthropy has enhanced care in our NICU by funding 50 high-tech beds that offer advanced thermoregulation to minimize complications and promote healthy development for our tiniest patients and NICView cameras that allow parents to stay connected remotely.
- Comprehensive family support programs: Parents of NICU infants experience multiple traumas, from early delivery to continued medical procedures and life-threatening events, often compounded by witnessing other families face similar challenges. These parents need special support and education to navigate this difficult journey. The Hand to Hold Program connects families with in-hospital ambassadors who have experienced the NICU journey themselves, offering guidance and comfort. Additionally, our comprehensive support assists families with loss through infant bereavement services, ensuring care is available at every step.
Your impact: Powering innovation and family-centered care
Donor support is essential in advancing the care for our tiniest and most fragile babies in the BUMC NICU. Your generosity can help fund specialized equipment and family-centered programs that enable our medical team to provide exceptional care from the very first moments of life. With your gift, we can continue to provide the highest level of care for these vulnerable babies and their families and offer the critical emotional and practical support needed throughout a NICU journey.
For more information, contact
Christina Goodman
Vice president, Development
Call
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Giving back for the gift of life
