What Our Level IIIB NICU Means for our Tiniest Patients

Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) provide specialized care for critically ill newborns. The first American NICU was opened in October 1960 at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. Several years later, between 1967 and 1976, the newborn and preemie nursery was established and developed at Roanoke Memorial Hospital (now CRMH); the first neonatologist came on board in 1976.  

Now, our NICU is the third-largest in the state and the only in our region. 

NICU Rankings 

NICUs are ranked level one (I), two (II), three (III) or four (IV), with four being the highest level. Our NICU is level IIIB, which means it can care for all degrees of prematurity, has a large team of experts on staff and can provide sustained life support including a full range of respiratory assistance. The extra B designation means our NICU has the ability to competently care for newborns born at 22 weeks gestation and babies who weigh less than 500 grams (a little over one pound).  

“The goal of our NICU is to improve the quality of life for all the babies and families who come into our care," said Alicia McAllister-Daniels, senior director for Carilion Children's. "No parent or caregiver wants their baby to be in the NICU. Our highly experienced, compassionate team of specialists and support staff is continually inspired by these tiny humans and are dedicated to providing them the best care possible."  

Our Experienced NICU Team 

The NICU staff’s dedication and experience shows. Half of our NICU nurses have more than five years’ experience working in a NICU, and more than a quarter of them have over 10 years of NICU experience. In addition, they go through extensive hands-on and simulation training. Collaboration is welcomed and encouraged with an interdisciplinary team of providers, respiratory therapists, neonatologists, in-house social workers and case managers, child life specialists and many more who are familiar with the unique needs of neonates (NICU patients).  

In addition to our skilled medical professionals, parents are encouraged to be involved in their babies care from the beginning of their child's NICU journey. Parents are able to visit 24 hours a day, and we offer parent care rooms that allow families to stay together prior to discharge to inspire confidence in caring for their new family member and offer another layer of support.

What Sets Us Apart 

Some of the unique things offered at our NICU are:  

• A dedicated neonatal/pediatric transport team who are at the ready to transport babies from other hospitals to our NICU, or to a higher level of care if needed.  

• Specially trained staff on-site and dedicated to the NICU, including parent/family educators, formula techs, lactation consultants, a RN clinical nurse specialist, child life specialists, unit leadership with previous NICU nursing experience, a clinical nurse educator to train new NICU nursing staff and neonatal vascular access specialists.  

• State-of-the-art equipment that is critical to programs like AngelEye, which places cameras at each bedspace so loved ones can watch their babies while away from the hospital. There are also breastmilk refrigerators and warmers at each bedspace and a sled evacuation system that quickly and efficiently transports babies down the hospital stairs in case of an emergency.

• Specialized care teams that enhance quality of care, including pediatric therapies and associated outpatient therapies especially for NICU graduates (known as the NICU Bridge clinic). There is also a specialized pediatric and neonatal palliative care program and subspecialists on-site for specialized services and treatments like EEGs, cardiac imaging and more.  

• Psychosocial support to promote physical and mental wellness, including the Healing Arts program, therapy dogs, the Ronald McDonald House nearby for families who live far away and a Ronald McDonald Room on the CMC campus. 

The care doesn’t stop once babies are discharged from the NICU. Carilion Children’s offers a full range of pediatric subspecialists to make sure patients receive the care they need as they grow and develop. The Family Advisory Board allows families of NICU patients to give back and participate in things like holiday celebrations, fundraising and more.  

Over the years, Carilion Children’s NICU has cared for thousands of babies, and the impact of our services on patients and their families is lasting. Parents and families often comment that nurses go above and beyond to care for their babies and are so kind and caring. Thank you to all the NICU care teams and support staff who work tirelessly to care for our tiniest patients during their most vulnerable moments of life—Carilion Children's NICU would not be such a success without each of you. 

The AngelEye camera system allows parents and families to view their newborns 24 hours a day using a secure, live-stream video feed. 

A NICU patient rests in a bassinet.

A NICU patient is dressed as candy corn for Halloween.