Newborns who are born too early or are very ill need special medical attention and an advanced level of care after birth. A neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, is a special unit in a hospital that can provide the high level of care these fragile babies need. Every month, Kyte Baby makes a donation to a NICU chosen by our community members for its outstanding care of critically ill babies. Meet our NICU for the month of June: Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Why Wolfson Children’s Hospital?
Receiving nearly 80 nominations through our Nominate-a-NICU page, the NICU at Wolfson Children’s Hospital has been caring for premature and critically ill babies since the 1970s. 50 years later, Wolfson Children’s NICU is a Level IV NICU—the highest level of intensive care designated in Florida. With comprehensive newborn care that combines expertise and state-of-the-art technology, as well as cutting-edge surgical treatments when necessary, these babies are given the best fighting chance at life after a rough start.
Critical Care Transport for Sick Babies
Even when critically ill babies are born at another medical facility in the entire region of North Florida and South Georgia, Wolfson Children’s Hospital offers critical care transport with life-saving care along the way. Nurses and respiratory therapists experienced in newborn critical care ride along with patients on the Kids Kare vehicles and helicopter for safe transportation to Wolfson Children’s.
Advanced Life Support in the NICU
Not only is Wolfson Children’s Hospital a not-for-profit hospital, it’s also the top destination in the region for these very sick newborns. The hospital offers neonatal cardiovascular surgery and an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program that keeps babies on the mend until their bodies are ready to take over breathing and circulation on their own. The ECMO program at Wolfson Children’s is a designated Gold Level Center for Excellence, meaning the hospital demonstrates high-quality standards, defined patient protocols, specialized equipment, and advanced education of the team.
Soothing Care for Babies and Families
To reduce stress for ill babies, the unit features low lighting, reduced noise levels, and cluster care to allow more uninterrupted rest. Parents and guardians are considered to be essential members of the healthcare team, and encouraged to room in with their infant to spend as much time together as possible. Each room is furnished with a private bathroom with a shower, and comfortably sleeps two parents. A compassionate behavioral health team is also available to provide support and guidance on maternal mental health, stress management, and emotional wellness throughout the baby’s NICU stay.
Words from the Kyte Community
Here’s what our community members had to say about the NICU at Wolfson Children’s Hospital:
“My son received cooling treatment at birth and was ultimately diagnosed with mild HIE. The staff at Wolfson’s gave him excellent care, and also ensured that his mom and I were comfortable and had what we needed during this difficult time. All NICU nurses are angels, but the staff at Wolfson’s were second to none. They are the kindest and most compassionate people I've ever met.”
-Chris C.
“Wolfson is the best children’s hospital in the north Florida and South Georgia region. Kids get exemplary care there. It’s unmatched by any other hospital.”
-Allison M.
“When our daughter was born, she was sent to the NICU after receiving CRP and having multiple anomalies. They fixed my baby, helped her heal, and were supportive to us the entire 46-day stay. As we learned more and more that was wrong, the nurses and doctors were there for anything we needed.”
-Katie J.
“I’m a nurse on our highest acuity floor and, unfortunately, we deal with a lot of loss. One of the things that’s been very helpful for our families during this time is Benji Bears, which is donation-based. It’s a weighted stuffed bear that we are able to give parents who have just lost their child, so that they don’t have to leave the hospital empty-handed.”
-Mary D.
If you would like to donate to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, you may contribute here.
Other NICUs We’ve Supported
We have the great honor of supporting the lifesaving care that NICUs provide to the sickest and most fragile babies born all over the country. Every month, we make a donation to the NICU with the most nominations on our Nominate-a-NICU page, as our way of giving back to our community.
Not only do NICUs rely on cutting-edge technology and highly trained medical professionals to provide the specialized care that patients require, but they also often have programs that provide emotional support, financial support, and resources for families who are going through one of the most challenging times in their lives. We are so proud to support the comfort and care that these NICUs provide to change so many lives for the better.
Here are other NICUs we have supported this year:
May 2025: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
April 2025: Sanford Children’s Hospital Fargo
March 2025: Women & Infants Hospital
February 2025: Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children
January 2025: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)
If you would like us to make a donation to a NICU of your choice, you may submit a nomination along with your story on our Nominate-a-NICU page.
