CHRISTUS Health celebrates NICU Nurses Week, NICU Awareness Month

CHRISTUS Health, the international not-for-profit Catholic health system, is celebrating National Neonatal Nurse's Week and NICU Awareness Month by recognizing the dedication of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses who work tirelessly to care for the most fragile patients: premature infants.

“We have the opportunity to make a big impact on tiny lives,” said Sam Mesora, NICU supervisor at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System. “Our NICU nursing team is passionate about the work they do, ensuring our babies get the help they need.”

Established in 2000 by the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, Neonatal Nurses Week 2024 is observed Sept. 14-20, and celebrates nurses who care for medically fragile babies in the NICU.

A study from the American Medical Association estimates that 10% of all births require admittance to the NICU.

Mesora said the NICU at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd sees babies as young as 22 weeks (about 5 months) with an average of 10-14 babies a month being admitted.

“When caring for children, it takes a village. We are lucky to not only have exceptional nurses, but also dedicated neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, speech, occupational, and respiratory therapists, as well as dieticians, lactation consultants, chaplains, and case managers,” she said. “This multidisciplinary care team plays key roles in delivering the best possible patient care for our babies and their families.”

Babies in the NICU generally stay until they “declare themselves,” meaning they can maintain themselves without external support.

“There is no greater joy than when the baby leaves our care,” Mesora said. “To know we played a part in getting them healthy and to see the joy on the parents’ faces when they leave is something you don’t forget.”

Formed in 2004, the NICU at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd was the first NICU to open in the Northeast Texas region.

It holds a Level III designation, the second-highest level, from the state of Texas, one of three CHRISTUS hospitals in Northeast Texas with the designation.

To qualify for Level III designation, a facility must demonstrate the capability and history of providing care to all gestational ages with mild to critical illnesses or requiring sustained life support.

“I know that each and every one of us has the same goal: that we fight alongside these babies,” Mesora said. “We believe that providing care to neonatal patients is a calling and are proud to have the opportunity to serve our mission of extending the healing mission of Jesus Christ.”