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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NICU team

During your baby's stay at the NICU, you will be greeted by many friendly faces. The descriptions below will help you become familiar with our NICU specialists and unit leaders you may come to know. 

Our amazing NICU team

Neonatologists

Neonatologists are pediatricians who specialize in critical care for newborns.

 


Neonatal nurse practitioners

Neonatal nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses with specialized expert clinical skills in the care of premature and sick newborns.

 


 

NICU baby with parent
Care management

Salem Health has a dedicated care manager for the Family Birth Center. This person helps families find the resources they need to get ready to go home after a NICU stay. The care management team makes sure families have a smooth and easy transition back home.

Mother and baby bonding
Lactation consultants

Our lactation consultants are RNs and international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLC). Salem Health provides breastfeeding and lactation support for patients during their stay and for families in the community.

NICU nurse with infant
Registered nurses
Our registered nurses (RNs) take great care of your baby’s health. They make sure your baby gets the right nutrition, medicine and treatments. Our RNs give special care to babies with infections, birth injuries, low birth weight and other health conditions. You can count on them to provide the care, support and kindness your baby needs during this important time.
NICU patient getting massage
Occupational therapist

A NICU occupational therapist (OT) helps newborns grow and reach important milestones safely. They support brain development and create positive sensory experiences, like skin-to-skin contact. OTs can show you how to feed, hold and gently massage your baby. They also help babies build muscle strength and improve posture. By looking at the baby’s medical needs, development and surroundings, OTs make sure they have the best chance to grow and thrive.

 

 

 

Dietitian

A Salem Health registered dietitian, trained in NICU care, works with your baby’s care team every day to make sure your baby gets the best nutrition for their health needs. 

 

Pharmacist

A Salem Health pharmacist, trained in NICU care, works with the medical team every day to ensure that all medications and IV nutrition are safe and follow the best national care standards.

 

Respiratory therapist

A NICU respiratory therapist helps babies who have trouble breathing. They watch over babies' respiratory status, treat lung problems, teach families and caregivers, and help with emergencies in the delivery room and NICU.

 


Did you know our NICU offers the Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences (SENSE) program?

The SENSE program provides education to engage families in providing developmentally appropriate positive sensory exposures to optimize outcomes for their infant(s). Our NICU occupational therapists will guide the work done through the SENSE program.