Neonatal Intensive Care Unit named after transformational donor

Friday November 01, 2024

(Back row, L-R): Kirsti Rozee, medical social worker, CBRH; Paula MacNeil, CEO, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation; Jillian Delorey, medical social worker, CBRH; Dr. Andrzej Kajetanowicz, Neonatologist, CBRH; Jennifer Swan, Director of Women and Children’s Health and Palliative Care, NSH Eastern Zone; Kelley Lundrigan, Interim Manager, Women and Children’s Health, CBRH; Hayley Gouthro, NICU Clinical Nurse Lead, CBRH; Simon MacDonald, CBRHF Board Member; Joan Sutherland; Gordon Sutherland; Debbie Sampson, RN; Tess Carrigan holding NICU grad Alden (Front row, L-R): Monica MacNeil, RN; Jade MacDougall, RN; Myah, Krew, Kaleb, and Kolby Mitchelitis, ‘NICU grads;” Megan Bonar; Jill Ferguson, RN, holding NICU grad Alaya

A transformational gift has been made to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

The gift, which is the largest gift ever given to the NICU, will honour Gordon and Joan Sutherland and see the department named ‘the Sutherland Neonatal Intensive Care Unit’.

The gift will provide the unit with state-of-the-art equipment, updated incubators and care stations, comfortable spaces for babies and their support people, renovations to family rooms, and advanced diagnostic tools.

Each year, more than 300 babies rely on the specialized and critical care offered in the NICU. This is due to early health problems, difficult births, or early deliveries. More than 20 families a month need to stay overnight for multiple days, weeks, or months at a time.

“We made this gift to ensure our NICU has the equipment needed to provide the best possible care, here at home, as well as to attract and retain skilled health care experts,” say Joan and Gordon Sutherland. “We also want to help to reduce stress for those in our community with sick infants by reducing the need for extensive travel for care.”

While the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital is considered a level three intensive care unit and can accommodate comprehensive care for more seriously ill newborns, aging equipment has made it difficult to fully function at this level. Specialized and updated equipment will aid in timely and more accurate treatment, allow for enhanced bedside care, and strengthen the overall patient experience.

“I have dedicated my life to this NICU and helping babies and their moms overcome the odds,” Dr. Andrzej Kajetanowicz. “This gift will address the changing and complex demands of the NICU and help us save lives.”

This gift will also ensure more babies and their families can stay in Cape Breton for intensive care after they are born.

“The most up to date technology will help us keep most babies here at the Regional, and for times when we cannot, we will now be better equipped for stabilization and transfers to other hospitals when time is of the essence. All in all, this donation will drastically improve the care and outcomes of babies who are born high risk,” says Dr. Kajetanowicz.

“We are truly overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of the Sutherland’s and know how much this gift will help some of the tiniest and most vulnerable Cape Breton patients,” says Paula MacNeil, CEO, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. “Their commitment to health care on our island will be felt at this hospital for years and years to come.”

“Not only do we hope that this gift will leave a lasting impact, we also hope it will inspire others to give back to our community,” say Gordon and Joan Sutherland.