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Neonatal Intensive Care

The Avera McKennan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a Level IIIB facility staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners and staff with specific training in high risk neonatal care. Our NICU has 27 Level IIIB beds, and offers a full range of services including varying levels of care from intermediate to critical and unstable infants.

We make sure your newborn benefits from the most accurate testing procedures and latest medical technology.

The Best Infant Care

Our NICU participates in the Vermont Oxford Database which provides benchmarking data for quality of care issues including outcomes, length of stay and rate of complications. Our outcomes in all categories are excellent, with a length of stay much shorter than the national average.

NICU Family Support Program®

Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center is proud to be chosen by the March of Dimes to implement NICU Family Support®.

The March of Dimes NICU Family Support® provides information and comfort to families of premature babies and other critically ill newborns being cared for in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). While Avera McKennan Hospital already provides the best technological care possible, this program allows us to offer even better and important emotional support to families during a difficult time. Learn More »

Family Centered Care

The Avera McKennan NICU is proud to be a family centered care unit. We provide a family-friendly environment where parents and siblings are welcome to visit.

  • Computers are available on both floors for family use.
  • The Mothers Nest provides a home-like area for moms to stay with their babies in the NICU.
  • Using our special Baby Cam videophones, families can see and visit with each other whenever they like. One videophone is located in the NICU and the other is placed in the family's home.
  • We place a strong emphasis on breastfeeding. Our number of NICU graduates breastfeeding at discharge is triple the national average.

Our Team of Specialists

Our highly trained NICU staff and integrated team of specialists are prepared to care for high-risk infants.

  • 5 Board Certified Neonatologists
  • 17 Pediatric sub specialists
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioners specially trained and educated for NICU care
  • Physical, Respiratory, Occupational and Speech Therapists
  • Neonatal Nutrition Support Specialist
  • Lactation Consultants
  • Social Services and Case Management experts

Technology Assisting Care

The latest technology allows our experts to better care for high-risk infants in a comfortable setting.

  • Hemodynamic monitoring
  • Imaging technology
  • New radiant warmers, omni beds and isolettes
  • Bedside laboratory testing
  • Neonatal surgery
  • State of the art ventilation
  • Neonatal transport via helicopter, fixed wing aircraft and ground vehicles

If you have any questions or would like more information, please call our Women's Center at (605) 322-3444.