SR963: SR963 Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; commend

26 LC 112 3923 Senate Resolution 963 By: Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Setzler of the 37th, Albers of the 56th, Howard of the 35th and Rhett of the 33rd A RESOLUTION Commending the Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care1 Unit; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, the Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center currently operates a Level3 III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) designed to care for pr emature and medically4 complex newborns through advanced respiratory support, continuo us monitoring, and5 life-saving interventions; and6 WHEREAS, the NICU at Wellstar Kennestone is staffed by neonatologists, neonatal nurses,7 respiratory therapists, and pediatric specialists who dedicate innumerable hours of their time,8 energy, and expertise toward ensuring that our most vulnerable Georgians receive the best9 medical care possible; and10 WHEREAS, in the United States, approximately 10 percent of all babies are born before 3711 weeks of gestation, and prematurity is one of the leading global causes of infant illness and12 death; and13 S. R. 963 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3923 WHEREAS, prompt NICU care significantly improves survival outcomes and substantially14 reduces mortality during the first week of life for vulnerable newborns, especially for those15 born very prematurely or at an extremely low birth weight; and16 WHEREAS, through the continued dedication of NICU healthcare pr ofessionals and17 advancements in neonatal medicine, survival rates for infants born between roughly 22 and18 28 weeks of gestation have increased significantly in recent ye ars, approaching nearly 7819 percent; and20 WHEREAS, NICU healthcare professionals further provide crucial information, reassurance,21 and security for parents of premature infants, reducing the inh erent stress of newborn22 hospitalization and assuaging associated feelings of guilt, shock, and helplessness; and23 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this exemplar y neonatal unit and its24 exceptional employees be appropriately honored during this spec ial time for the vital care25 they provide to our most critical youth.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body27 commend the Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit28 and its committed healthcare professionals for their service on behalf of this state's premature29 infants and extend best wishes for continued success in their mission to save lives.30 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed31 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to the Wellstar32 Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.33 S. R. 963 - 2 -