Our Healthcare Professionals

Ranked among the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation and #1 in New York by U.S.News & World Report

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The following healthcare professionals provide care for infants and assist families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Transitional Care Nursery:

Neonatal Attending Physician is a pediatrician with advanced training in the care of sick and premature infants who is the physician for each baby in the NICU. Neonatal attending physicians round every day and plan each baby’s medical care. The neonatal attending rotates in the NICU for several weeks at a time.

Neonatal Fellow is a pediatrician who is completing three years of specialty training in neonatology. The neonatal fellow rotates in the NICU for one month at a time and works under the supervision of the neonatal attending.

Residents are medical school graduates who are training to become pediatricians. Pediatric residents rotate in the NICU for one month at a time and work under the supervision of the neonatal fellow and attending.

Nurses

Patient Care Director is responsible for the supervision of all nursing care on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Clinical Care Coordinator is responsible for directing and coordinating the nursing activities on a specific shift in order to ensure continuity of patient care.

Neonatal Staff Nurses are registered nurses who specialize in the care of sick and premature babies. Each baby admitted to the NICU is immediately assigned to a neonatal staff nurse. This nurse can help parents understand their baby's routine care, explain their baby's condition and help them become more confident in taking over the care of their baby. The bedside nurse works 12-hour shifts several days a week.

Nursing Attendants assist the staff in many ways, including keeping the units supplied with equipment and helping in the transporting of babies to other units within the Hospital.

Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced education and clinical training in a particular healthcare area. Nurse practitioners work with patients of all ages and families, providing information in order for them to make informed decisions about their healthcare and lifestyle choices. Nurse practitioners can serve as the regular healthcare provider for children and adults during health and illness.

House Physicians have completed their pediatric residency and now practice in the field of pediatrics in the Hospital.

Physician Assistants (PA) are specially trained and certified to provide medical services (such as the diagnosis and treatment of common medical problems) usually under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Social Workers provide counseling and assistance with discharge and other social needs concerning sick and premature newborns. They help families find and coordinate resources either in the Hospital or community that will best meet their needs.

Psychologists are mental health professionals who have a doctoral degree in clinical, counseling, and developmental psychology. They are available to provide families with psychological support, guidance, and counseling.

Respiratory Therapists have expertise in the equipment and support of patients with respiratory distress. Nutritionists are trained in developing and supervising the nutritional needs of patients. They assist the patient care team in planning and customizing the special nutritional needs of our patients.

Physical Therapists are specialists trained in rehabilitation and gross motor development.

Occupational Therapists are specialists trained in sensory and fine motor needs.

Feeding Specialists are professionals with expertise in the development of infants and they assist babies with feeding and sucking.

Pharmacists are professionals trained in preparing and dispensing medications and intravenous fluids.

Lactation Consultants assist mothers in learning the necessary skills to establish and maintain their milk supply and help them overcome obstacles to breastfeeding. They also teach staff and parents in issues regarding breastfeeding.

Pastoral Care/Chaplain supports and attends to the spiritual needs of babies and families.

Child Life Specialists are accredited professionals who apply their child development expertise to help children understand, cope with, and master their medical experiences. Child Life specialists recognize a child's reactions to the stresses of illness and medical procedures. This allows them to assess a child and family's individual psychosocial needs and provide appropriate interventions. In the NICU, Child Life specialists are available to help siblings of infants in the unit. They will organize activities, such as playing with toys, arts and crafts, video games and computers, either on the unit or in one of the Hospital's Child Life Centers.

Interpreter Corps is a group of trained volunteers who interpret (including American Sign Language) for families and healthcare providers.

Patient Relations representatives help answer questions about hospital policies, encourage communication between hospital departments, and respond to any patient or family concerns.

Unit Assistants perform clerical duties and also facilitates the daily administrative and organizational needs of patients, nurses, and physicians.

Security Officers provide security and safety throughout the Hospital.