March 03, 2025
Content sponsored by
Provided Courtesy/Temple Health
When Valeria’s daughter was born weighing under two pounds, the NICU team at Temple Health helped her and her family heal. "They embraced me and made me feel like I was part of a big family," says Valeria.
Around 9 to 13 percent of newborns in the U.S. require care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), with many born prematurely before 37 weeks. In 2023, the March of Dimes reported that 10.4 percent of all U.S. births were preterm. In Philadelphia, the preterm birth rate was even higher, reaching 11.2 percent.
Temple Health has cared for hundreds of babies in neonatal intensive care at its main campus on North Broad Street, but it is about to raise the bar by opening the region’s only hospital dedicated exclusively to the health of women and families.
The soon-to-open hospital, Temple Women & Families, located at 1331 E. Wyoming Avenue in Juniata Park, will feature a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that combines advanced medical technology with a compassionate, family-centered approach.
At Temple’s NICU, the “Eat, Sleep, Console” model is built around the concept of calm environments and parental involvement, promoting faster healing and improved outcomes.
The NICU at Temple Women & Families will offer over 40 beds in an environment that promotes family bonding, supports the recovery of infants who require specialized medical care, and provides dedicated areas for parents to rest and recharge without leaving their baby’s side.
“A controlled environment with increased parental involvement in the NICU leads to better long-term developmental outcomes for at-risk infants,” said Colleen Moran, Temple Health’s associate vice president of nursing administration.
The new NICU will include quiet areas, soft lighting, and a soothing atmosphere that minimizes stress–all part of the trauma-informed design. And with semi-private rooms, families can remain close to their babies, allowing them to develop caregiving rhythms and build confidence in their parenting skills.
“When parents are present in a calm environment, they naturally learn to recognize their baby’s cues — such as hunger or stress — which builds confidence as they prepare to care for their baby at home,” said Caitlynne Crowley, associate director of the Infant Intensive Care Nursery.
By creating a calm, supportive environment for both babies and their families, the new NICU will ensure that every aspect of care promotes healing, confidence, and readiness for life beyond the hospital.
Baby O is thriving today after she received care in the NICU at Temple Health and went home early at 38 weeks.
This family-first approach is central to the holistic care model that Temple Women & Families will follow. Holistic care means addressing all aspects of an infant’s well-being, not just their medical conditions.
A key feature of this model is the “Eat, Sleep, Console” approach, which prioritizes supporting babies’ natural behaviors. This method accelerates recovery and promotes healthier outcomes.
Additionally, Temple Women & Families’ NICU will encourage skin-to-skin contact between parents and babies. This practice helps regulate newborns’ heart rates, breathing, and temperatures, while also strengthening the emotional bonds between parents and their infants.
Consistent with Temple Health’s long-standing approach to care, the new NICU will continue to connect families with pediatric care and community resources to support their transition home.
To help ensure that all families receive the necessary guidance and resources, the NICU will have bilingual staff and provide translation services. Educational materials are available in multiple languages, covering important topics like medical procedures, caregiving techniques, and developmental milestones. This is especially vital in Philadelphia, where nearly one in four residents speak a language other than English.
Additionally, on-site support services, including social workers, will assist families with applying for the Pennsylvania Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), as well as offering help with lactation support, transportation, and housing needs. The onsite WIC office is set to open in early February.
When Temple Women & Families NICU opens, it will expand access to vital neonatal care in Philadelphia, offering families a supportive, patient-centered environment that fosters bonding, builds confidence, and aids recovery. To learn more, visit templehealth.org.
