Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University of Connecticut Health Center’s John Dempsey Hospital is an important tertiary care referral center for central and northern Connecticut. We started operating in April 1975, under guidance of John Raye, M.D. Today, Naveed Hussain, M.D., our medical director, leads a team of 7 neonatologists. For more than 30 years, we have cared for thousands of babies in the region. In addition to clinical care, various team members of our NICU are involved in a broad range of educational and research activities aimed at improving care for the tiniest and most vulnerable babies.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at John Dempsey Hospital provides comprehensive care of sick newborn infants using multidisciplinary team approach. Experienced nurses, respiratory therapists, neonatal nurse practitioners/physician assistants and pediatric residents provide round-the-clock care under close supervision of board-certified/ qualified neonatologists.

There are 3 units that comprise the nurseries:

• The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has 30 beds and houses the smallest and sickest of babies.
• The Special Care Nursery (SCN) has 10 beds and takes care of the recovering babies who need medications or oxygen.
• The Newborn Nursery (NBN) has 10 beds for babies born at John Dempsey Hospital and cares for growing babies who need help with feeding or temperature control.