The 40-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in St. John's Children's Hospital provides care to nearly 450 premature and seriously ill newborns each year from across south-central Illinois. The NICU also serves Springfield's Perinatal Region.

Specially trained nurses, respiratory therapists, rehabilitation specialists, social services workers, pharmacists, nutritionists and chaplains make up the NICU team. At least one neonatologist is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Meet your baby's physician

Since breastfeeding provides newborns with the best nutrients possible, NICU nursing staff actively supports breastfeeding women.