Jennifer Gandel Kachura Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Jennifer Gandel Kachura Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

The Jennifer Gandel Kachura Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) treats premature and critically ill newborns. Our Level III, 21-bed unit is equipped and staffed to treat a full range of medical conditions. Capabilities include pediatric anesthesia, general surgical services, laboratory medicine, radiology (ultrasound, CT and MRI), echocardiography and cardiovascular surgery for babies with patent ductus arteriosus.

Sinai Hospital also offers its own statewide Neonatal Transport Program. With faculty physicians and surgeons representing most pediatric subspecialties right on campus, we are one of just three nurseries in the state to provide the highest level of care for the babies who need it most. And our staff also provides comfort, support and education for families. Our nurses will answer any questions you may have.

Nurse with a baby in the Sinai NICUCare team members may include:

  • Neonatologist
  • Pediatrician
  • Neonatal nurse practitioner
  • Registered nurse
  • Lactation consultant
  • Occupational/Physical/Respiratory therapists

Donor Milk Program

Did you know that Sinai’s NICU is the first in Maryland to offer its smallest patients a diet of 100% human milk? Mothers of premature infants weighing less than 1,250 grams — about 2.75 pounds — have the option to feed their babies donor breast milk if they are unable to provide their own.

For these babies, breast milk is treated with a fortifier called Prolacta made completely from human milk to give them sufficient calories, phosphorus and calcium. This human milk diet protects the most premature infants from the dangerous condition of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Family Rooms

Through the generosity of several donors, the NICU offers two private rooms, which provide a resting space for two primary caregivers actively involved in the care of their newborn. Families can speak to their baby’s nurse to sign them up for the Pink or Blue room.

Nurseries

Preterm and critically ill infants are admitted into the NICU. As the baby grows and develops, he or she may be moved to the Special Care Nursery. This room is right next to the NICU and staffed by the same medical team as the NICU. In the Special Care Nursery families are prepared for discharge with individualized teaching based on their baby’s needs.



Division Director

Thomas P. O'Brien, M.D.
Neonatologist
410-601-5217

Physicians

David E. Kanter, M.D.
Neonatologist
410-601-5217

Julia Trintis, D.O.
Neonatologist
410-601-5217

Susan Kim, M.D.
Neonatologist
410-601-5217

Sarah Strouse, M.D.
Neonatologist
410-601-5217



Ruth Browne, C.R.N.P.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
410-601-5217

Nursing Leadership

Susan Daw RN, MSN.
Director of Children’s Hospital and Women’s Services
410-601-2012
sdaw@lifebridgehealth.org

Melissa Lynch Wisniewski RNC, BSN.
NICU Nurse Manager
410-601-4351
mwisniew@lifebridgehealth.org

Jayme Garman MS, RNC, CNL
NICU Nursing Outcomes Partner
410-601-2124
jgarman@lifebridgehealth.org

Kristina Gambrell, R.N., B.S.N., I.B.C.L.C.
Lactation Consultant
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
410-601-5824

Social Worker

Sally Mogilnicki, L.G.S.W.
NICU Social Worker
410-601-5571