Beverly Hospital Celebrates Special Care Reunion and 10th Anniversary of the Opening of the New Special Care Nursery

More than 200 people, including 70 former SCN patients, gathered in the Ayer Healing Garden recently for the Special Care Nursery Reunion. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the new SCN. 

The Antonell's returned to Beverly Hospital for the Special Care Nursery Reunion.

The Lamson's joined more than 200 people, including 70 former SCN patients that gathered in the Ayer Healing Garden recently for the Special Care Nursery Reunion. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the new SCN. The event featured singing and dancing led by North Shore children's entertainer the Music Man, face painting, ice cream from Cherry Farm Creamery, and arts and crafts.

Beverly, MA (October 12, 2015) - It's been 24 years since Michael Antonell was last in the Special Care Nursery (SCN) at Beverly Hospital. At that time, the newborn was delivered three months premature and spent the first 12 weeks of his life in neonatal intensive care units.

Michael was barely two pounds after his birth and had to suffer through a bout of pneumonia when he was just days old.

"It was scary," said his mother, Elizabeth about that time. "We have Michael today because of the folks at Beverly Hospital. They saved his life more than once."

The Antonell's, including Michael, were among the more than 200 families who attended the annual Special Care Nursery reunion at Beverly Hospital.

More than 200 people, including 70 former SCN patients, gathered in the Ayer Healing Garden recently for the Special Care Nursery Reunion. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the new SCN. The event featured singing and dancing led by North Shore children's entertainer the Music Man, face painting, ice cream from Cherry Farm Creamery,  and arts and crafts.

"There are miracles all around us," said Gene Antonell. "If you just look around, all these babies and children spent time in the Special Care Nursery, and they've all done well and are at home with their families. This event is the definition of success."

Beverly Hospital's Level II-B Special Care Nursery provides care for premature and full-term babies who need extra assistance after birth. Having a Level IIB Special Care Nursery in the community allows parents to stay close to their newborns despite their need for specialized care.

Whether the babies spent days, weeks or months in the unit, each family had a unique and special story.

"It was a very stressful situation," said Ipswich resident Matt Lamson, whose daughter - Isabella - spent several days in the Special Care Nursery. "But having our daughter at Beverly Hospital gave us peace of mind."

In recognition for the care their son received at Beverly Hospital more than two decades ago, the Antonell's will be donating special care packages to the families of premature newborns that need to go to the special care nursery. The packages include special baby books and other items that premature infants require.

The SCN team cares for more than 300 infants each year, and helps guide parents and families through the challenges that accompany a newborn's need for specialized care and attention. The team includes neonatologists from Boston Children's Hospital, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers and other professionals committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care for these very special patients.

Flanked by images featuring photographs of smiling children of all ages, families at the Special Care Nursery reunion took photographs and videos as physicians and nurses embraced child after child, marveling at how far they've come.

"It is so gratifying for the staff, after all their hard work, to see these children growing and thriving," said Anne Armstrong, RN, nurse manager of Beverly Hospital's Special Care Nursery. "It's the most meaningful part of the work."

About Lahey Health

Lahey Health is what's next in healthcare, providing a full continuum of integrated health services close to where you live or work. It is comprised of nationally recognized, award-winning hospitals-including an academic hospital and medical center, and community hospitals-primary care providers, specialist physicians, behavioral health services, post-acute programs such as home health services, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, and senior care resources located throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

Lahey Health offers nearly 1,000 locally based physicians providing clinical excellence and an exceptional patient experience in adult and pediatric primary care and every medical specialty, including kidney and liver transplantation; neurosurgery, cancer, cardiovascular and orthopedic medical and surgical care; local emergency and trauma care; urological surgery; chronic disease prevention and health management; and pediatric emergency, newborn and inpatient care provided in collaboration with Boston Children's Hospital physicians.

Lahey Health includes Lahey Hospital & Medical Center-a teaching hospital of Tufts University School of Medicine-and Lahey Clinic physician group with practices in Burlington, Peabody and other locations throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire; Beverly Hospital; Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, Mass.; Winchester Hospital; Lahey Health Senior Care and Lahey Health Behavioral Services as well as more than 30 primary care physician practices and multiple outpatient and satellite specialty care facilities.

Together, we are making innovative, integrated healthcare more personal and more accessible. For more information, visit LaheyHealth.org and its member websites Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Beverly Hospital, Winchester Hospital, and Lahey Health Behavioral Services.

#          #          #