Level II NICU under construction at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center
Backed by the expertise of the Level IV NICU at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital, the new unit will bring specialized pediatric and obstetric care closer to home.
Construction is officially underway on a new Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center — a major milestone in expanding advanced newborn care for families in Lancaster County.
The new unit, which is expected to open this fall, will include three beds and provide specialized support for newborns who require more specialized care than is available in a standard newborn nursery. The Level II NICU will serve infants who are:
- Born at 32 weeks’ gestation or later, or who weigh 1,500 grams (approximately three pounds, five ounces) or more
- Mildly to moderately ill with conditions expected to resolve quickly
- Not anticipated to need urgent subspecialty services
- In need of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or short-term mechanical ventilation
- Transferred back from higher-level facilities for convalescent care
With 24/7 staffing, seamless access from Labor and Delivery, and the full support of the Level IV NICU team at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital, the new unit will ensure newborns receive timely, continuous and coordinated care from the moment they are born.
The NICU is being built at the center of the hospital’s Family Birthing Suite, allowing parents to remain close to their baby.
“Lancaster Medical Center’s new Level II NICU reflects Penn State Health’s continued investment in expanding access to specialized pediatric and obstetric services across the region,” said Joseph Frank, president of Penn State Health Lancaster and St. Joseph medical centers. “It will bring expert, trusted care closer to home for patients in Lancaster County and minimize disruptions in neonatal care. It will also help ensure smoother transitions for infants who need the most advanced treatment at our Level IV NICU at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital just up the road in Hershey.”
The High Foundation has made the first philanthropic commitment to the project, supporting Penn State Health’s mission to provide high-quality care for families throughout the region.
When complete, the unit will strengthen the Family Birthing Suite’s focus on patient- and family-centered care, giving new parents greater peace of mind during some of their most important moments.
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