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.
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