Mercy Cedar Rapids, UI Health Care bring advanced neonatal and high-risk OB care to Cedar Rapids
Mercy Medical Center and University of Iowa Health Care have announced a new relationship that will bring enhanced care to Cedar Rapids for newborn babies and women with high-risk pregnancies.
Advanced Neonatal Care
Beginning this fall, Mercy Neonatologist, Dr. Roger Allen, will be joined by University of Iowa Children’s Hospital neonatologists, who will provide on-site patient care and medical leadership at Mercy’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This ensures that access to Iowa’s highest-level neonatal experts, working side-by-side with Mercy’s NICU team, begins immediately at birth.
Neonatology refers to the care of premature infants or newborns who are seriously ill due to low birth weight or other life-threatening conditions. Mercy’s NICU opened in 1996 and has cared for thousands of babies in the largest, most private NICU suites in Cedar Rapids. UI Children’s Hospital is home to Iowa’s highest-level NICU with outcomes among the very best in the nation for premature infants.
“Our focus remains on family-centered care for our community,” said Roger Allen, MD, neonatologist at Mercy. “We’re pleased to be able to offer this ‘first’ for Cedar Rapids by enhancing our services with a full continuum of high-risk birth care in collaboration with University of Iowa Health Care. As a team, we’re prepared to provide our babies with the very best care, with direct access to University neonatologists, as well as the University’s latest, evidence-based protocols. And our spacious, private and well-equipped NICU suites are designed to be different than anything else you’ll find in Cedar Rapids.”
High-Risk Obstetrics Care
Additionally, UI maternal-fetal medicine experts will provide specialized, prenatal obstetrics (OB) care for women with high-risk pregnancies due to advanced maternal age; multiple births; chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or epilepsy; or a history of complications of pregnancy. Expectant mothers will be able to see UI Health Care specialists face-to-face in a convenient location on the Mercy Cedar Rapids campus in early 2015.
“Offering these services at Mercy in Cedar Rapids will bring added convenience and peace of mind to patients and families in Linn and neighboring counties,” said Jean Robillard, MD, UI Vice President for Medical Affairs. “This is truly a case where, by working together with Mercy, we will provide better care and service, including improved access and less stress from travel.”
“This relationship continues to build upon our renewed commitment to women’s and children’s services at Mercy,” said Tim Charles, Mercy president and CEO. “It really is the best of both worlds: the University’s nationally ranked expertise and research combined with the personalized care that is The Mercy Touch®. Our partnership with the University allows us to bring new, hands-on specialists to Cedar Rapids that our community has not had before. We’re able to remain independent yet collaborate to bring patients the most advanced care – right here at home.”
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