The Simi Valley Hospital has opened a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which provides specialized care for babies born prematurely or with special medical needs.

Alvin Miller, MD, a boardcertified pediatrician and neonatologist, is the unit's medical director. He provides leadership for 10 board-certified pediatricians who will also provide physician coverage for the new service.

"In addition to babies born prematurely, the NICU will care for babies following a C-section delivery and those who have respiratory challenges, jaundice or sepsis," Miller said.

The unit's nursing staff provides one-to-one or two-to-one nursing care in the eight-bed unit, which is outfitted with the newest infant environmental systems and other lifesaving equipment. All nursing care is performed by specially trained and certified registered nurses.

Along with the new unit, the hospital's Women's and Children's Services provides accommodations for mothers-to-be on the third floor of the new Patient Care Tower.

Each labor/delivery/recovery room has custom-made wood cabinets over the bed, a sleeper chair for the father or another loved one to spend the night, and large windows that provide natural lighting.

"The maternity rooms are designed to maximize the comfort and safety of moms and babies," said Pam Andreasen, Women's and Children's director. "The labor/delivery/recovery rooms are very spacious, and they are decorated in soothing earth tones and adorned with beautiful artwork."