Inside BayCare’s six Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), premature and sick newborns receive continuous care from specialized physicians and nurses. The health system operates level II, III, and IV NICUs, which are equipped to handle a range of medical needs for infants.
From September 8 to 18, BayCare participated in an annual read-a-thon in partnership with over 200 hospitals nationwide. During this ten-day event, caregivers, hospital leaders, families, and special guests read more than 1,700 books to babies in BayCare’s NICUs. The initiative was led by the Babies with Books organization.
The goal of the read-a-thon is to offer comfort and connection to infants and their families during difficult times. Charles Ennis, director of the NICUs at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital-South as well as BayCare’s neonatal and pediatric transport services, stated: “Research shows that reading to premature infants can aid in brain development and language skills, enhances listening and memory skills and promotes bonding.”
Dr. Alfonso Vargas, medical director of the Mease Countryside Hospital NICU, also commented on the benefits: “Reading can even help regulate a baby’s vital signs. But just as important, it helps strengthen the bond between parents and their newborns during an incredibly stressful time.”
BayCare continues to support its patients through such programs that emphasize both medical treatment and emotional support for families.
