inthrop-University Hospital was recently named a New York State Regional Perinatal Center (RPC), a prestigious designation that recognizes Winthrop's ability to deliver the highest level of obstetrical and perinatal care to patients throughout the region.

"We are very enthusiastic about this new designation and are confident that Winthrop and its distinguished partners will provide one of the best models for improving maternal, fetal and neonatal care in the region," stated Dev Maulik, MD, Ph.D., Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. "Endowed with a nationally known medical faculty and a state-of-the-art facility, Winthrop is recognized for its comprehensive, advanced expertise in managing high-risk mothers and infants."

With 5,000 babies born at Winthrop and 8,000 in the RPC network each year, the designation recognizes the Hospital as a center of excellence in New York State for its superior level of care. As a Regional Perinatal Center, Winthrop shares educational resources, helps formulate policies of management, provides outreach training and helps coordinate quality initiative programs with area hospitals within Winthrop's network, including South Nassau Communities Hospital, New Island Hospital and St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx. Additionally, these hospitals will be able to transport mothers and babies to Winthrop in the event they require a higher level of care.

This bodes well for new parents like Jeanna and Daniel Fine, who recently experienced the wonders Winthrop can do for sick babies.

Helping The Tiniest Patients
Jeanna Fine carried her daughter, Madison, to full term and was excited to meet her new, healthy baby. On September 6th, Jeanna and her husband Daniel drove to Winthrop for her scheduled cesarean section full of hope. They had no reason to think anything would go wrong with their baby.

But, it did. After the delivery, Jeanna's hopes of snuggling her newborn close, feeding her and showing her off to relatives and friends were crushed. Madison was not breathing properly. She had fluid in her lungs and doctors soon diagnosed her with having pneumonia. Madison was quickly whisked away from her new parents so doctors could suction the fluid. But her breathing remained labored and doctors found traces of blood in her lungs. Madison was soon put on a respirator to help her breathing and given a feeding tube.

"When the doctors put Madison on antibiotics for seven days, I realized we wouldn't be taking her home for a while," said Jeanna. "It was a scary experience, but we knew that our daughter was in the best hands."

Today, the Fine Family is happy and healthy thanks to the care received at Winthrop's Institute for Family Care.

Madison spent the next week in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where doctors and nurses monitored her condition around the clock. Because of the resources available to the medical team at Winthrop, the Fine's experience turned out to be much better than they could have hoped.

"The doctors and nurses were extraordinary," stated Jeanna. "They answered all of our questions and treated us with kindness, compassion and respect."

"In fact," she added, "one of the nurses in the NICU noticed my visible distress and took me aside to talk to me, listen and comfort me. They told me to call anytime of the day or night. I actually called at 4 a.m. and the nurses happily updated me on her condition and what she was doing. It was very comforting."

Thanks to the expertise of Winthrop's maternal/fetal team, Madison Fine is now home with her new family. Jeanna reports that their 2-year-old son, Harrison has taken on his new role of big brother with great enthusiasm.

"Winthrop was chosen as a Regional Perinatal Center for our exemplary delivery of obstetric, neonatal and perinatal care," said Warren Rosenfeld, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics.

The Fine family couldn't agree more.

For more information on Winthrop's Institute for Family Care, call 866-WINTHROP.