MDNews - Greater Kansas

COVER FEATURE Via Christi Hospital NICU: AND CRITICALLY ILL NEWBORNS By Jeanie Erwin WHEN THE EXCITEMENT OF A NEW LIFE IS TEMPERED WITH ALL THE UNKNOWNS OF HAVING A CRITICALLY ILL CHILD, THE ROLE OF A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IS MUCH MORE THAN TO PROVIDE CARE FOR AN INFANT; IT IS TO CARE FOR AN ENTIRE FAMILY. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT MAKES THE 28-BED LEVEL III NICU AT VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL OUTSTANDING. become complicated in a matter of moments, throwing parents into fright- ening and unfamiliar territory, filled with uncertainty. Adding to these challenges, when care A for mothers with high-risk pregnancies and newborns requiring special care is not available either locally or conve- niently, the mother and frequently other family members are displaced from the LL PARENTS HOPE that their child will be born healthy. However, even the most uneventful pregnancy can comforts of home as the mother and baby attain care. Via Christi Health, the largest provider of health care services in Kansas, has a rich, 100-year history of meeting the challenging needs of all citizens and exists as a vital local resource. Founded with a healing mission supported by a strong Catholic heritage, the system's diverse offering of doctors, hospitals, senior villages and health services is built on a passion for serving area citizens. Perhaps nowhere is that passion more deeply felt than in caring for some of the Michael Wolfe, M.D., Maternal Fetal Medicine physician with Via Christi Clinic, and patient youngest and most vulnerable citizens in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Positive Impact of Collaborative Care When mothers-to-be face challenging medical circumstances during their pregnancies, it is important to have the support of expert, high-risk OB care and the assistance of a well-equipped NICU and its superior staff. Via Christi's high-risk obstetrics services focus on helping women through challenging pregnancies by providing the most advanced level of specialized medical care and services. Most recently, the Via Christi NewLife Center team was joined by Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist Michael Wolfe, M.D., who brings a new layer of support to the co-management of high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Wolfe, who received his medical degree from the University of Kansas, followed with a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Kansas and a maternal fetal medicine fel- lowship at the University of New Mexico, finds the collaborative atmosphere of Via Christi an advantage to all involved, especially the patients. "The goal is to keep mothers with their own doctors, with whom they are most comfortable and familiar. My role is to work collaboratively and provide whatever support is needed to help ensure that every delivery is as healthy as possible," explains Dr. Wolfe. DEDICATION TO HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VIA CHRISTI HEALTH

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