SMC Cuts Ribbon On Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The ribbon was cut Tuesday on the brand new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Samaritan Medical Center. 

It's the place where babies who need the most help come. 

It boasts double the space of the old unit and more room for families to make themselves at home.

"It's really moving toward a family centered care which will allow the parents more time with the newborn babies," said Samaritan CEO and President Tom Carman.

There's a family room with a double bed so both mom and dad can spend the night. 

It's a touch nurses say makes families more comfortable during difficult times.

"Sometimes we have these babies here for a month or two so it's really important for us to give them a place to be together," said Stephanie Boden, maternity nurse.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was made possible by a $1 million donation by the Kinney Drugs Foundation.

"It's just fantastic to see the bringing together of children, medical community, and community at large. To have it go through completion is just tremendous," said Mark Brackett, president of Kinney Drugs Foundation.

The new unit is just the beginning.

Samaritan also has plans to expand its labor and delivery and post-partum departments.