SR 963: Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; commend

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 Care Unit; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center currently operates a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) designed to care for premature and medically complex newborns through advanced respiratory support, continuous monitoring, and life-saving interventions; and

WHEREAS, the NICU at Wellstar Kennestone is staffed by neonatologists, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, and pediatric specialists who dedicate innumerable hours of their time, energy, and expertise toward ensuring that our most vulnerable Georgians receive the best medical care possible; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, approximately 10 percent of all babies are born before 37 weeks of gestation, and prematurity is one of the leading global causes of infant illness and death; and

WHEREAS, prompt NICU care significantly improves survival outcomes and substantially reduces mortality during the first week of life for vulnerable newborns, especially for those born very prematurely or at an extremely low birth weight; and

WHEREAS, through the continued dedication of NICU healthcare professionals and advancements in neonatal medicine, survival rates for infants born between roughly 22 and 28 weeks of gestation have increased significantly in recent years, approaching nearly 78 percent; and

WHEREAS, NICU healthcare professionals further provide crucial information, reassurance, and security for parents of premature infants, reducing the inherent stress of newborn hospitalization and assuaging associated feelings of guilt, shock, and helplessness; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this exemplary neonatal unit and its exceptional employees be appropriately honored during this special time for the vital care they provide to our most critical youth.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend the Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and its committed healthcare professionals for their service on behalf of this state's premature infants and extend best wishes for continued success in their mission to save lives. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.