Phoebe Hospital’s New Tower to Boost NICU Facilities

Construction of the Phoebe Trauma & Critical Care Tower at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (PPMH) is progressing steadily, eliciting excitement from staff like Jennifer Heleski, Director of Women’s & Children’s Services. Heleski eagerly anticipates the tower’s completion, particularly the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on the second floor. “We couldn’t be more excited about our new NICU. Our NICU leadership team is doing a wonderful job of planning to ensure that we are creating an environment that is conducive to the well-being of our neonates and allows for the very best quality of care,” said Heleski.

The tower, set to be the new home of PPMH’s NICU, promises enhanced facilities and space for the care of premature babies from 22 counties in southwest Georgia.

The tower, which will provide advanced trauma, emergency, and intensive care services, will feature the Emergency & Trauma Center on the first floor and a new 20-bed adult intensive care unit on the third floor. However, Heleski remains focused on the NICU’s expansion, expecting it to alleviate current space constraints and provide a more comfortable environment for families.

Despite limited space, Phoebe’s NICU team has garnered recognition for its quality of care, recently receiving awards from the Georgia Hospital Association. PPMH stands out as the first Georgia hospital with Level III NICU designation, indicating adherence to rigorous national standards. Additionally, it is one of only three hospitals in the state designated as a Level III Maternal facility and is recognized as a Georgia 5 STAR Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital.

Heleski emphasizes the dedication of the NICU team to providing exemplary care and service, expressing confidence that the new facility will further enhance their capabilities. If construction proceeds as planned, the Emergency and Trauma center is slated to open in the fall, followed by the NICU and adult ICU in subsequent months.