The impact of philanthropy is never more apparent than when it touches families when they need it most. Our Keeping Families Together Initiative, which focused on renovating and expanding the Providence Holy Cross Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was a tremendous success thanks to extraordinary community support. Funded 100% by philanthropy, our new and improved NICU opened to serve families on September 12.

We’re here for families
Each year, we have approximately 2,500 new births — of those, roughly 1% require the specialized care of the NICU. Because our donors stepped in to help, our committed caregivers will treat our tiniest, most fragile patients in beautiful modern facilities.

Even more importantly, expanding from 12 to 18 beds will have an immediate impact. In the past, we’ve had to make the heart-rending decision to send about five babies a month to other hospitals due to limited capacity. With the opening of the newly expanded NICU, these families will stay here, in their community, for care.

“I’m proud that the collaboration between this community and this ministry has resulted in a state-of-the-art NICU with the capacity to keep mothers and families together with their newborns,” says Chief Executive Bernie Klein, M.D. “Thank you for supporting Providence Holy Cross and our NICU team. Together we are achieving our vision of creating healthier communities.”

Modern healing space
The new NICU has the latest advancements, including new ventilators, phototherapy lights, IV pumps and more. Every bed features the GE CARESCAPE B450 bedside monitors, ensuring
precise patient monitoring. Our new lactation station supports new moms with breastfeeding, which provides immense short- and long-term benefits to newborns.

A significant grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation covered the cost of six new GE/Phillips Giraffe OmniBed Carestations (Giraffe Beds). These special beds simulate the mother’s womb,
creating a controlled environment that minimizes stress and promotes growth for our delicate patients. They provide easy visibility and access for our nurses to provide neurodevelopmental and family-centered care.

“We are proud and thrilled to serve families in our beautiful and well-equipped NICU,” says Keith Kolber, M.D., NICU medical director. “On behalf of our NICU staff and the many families we will care for in the coming years, we deeply appreciate the generosity of our donor community. Your impact will be felt for generations.”

Joyous NICU Family Reunion
On a Saturday in October, 22 NICU graduates and their parents and families gathered for a morning of gratitude and celebration. The Providence Holy Cross NICU reunion celebration was a joyous testament to the tremendous impact our NICU has on the health of families in our community. The outdoor costume party featured face painting, games and family activities. Providence Holy Cross is proud that our Keeping Families Together Initiative will pave the way for increased participation in future events like this.

THANK YOU to the extraordinary generosity of these donors and everyone who contributed to the $7.3M NICU Keeping Families Together Initiative, to expand our NICU.
Estate of Walter L. Ghirardelli
Mrs. Jeanette Goldbaum
Councilmember John S. Lee,
Twelfth District, City of Los Angeles
The Masri Family
Providence Holy Cross Guild
W. M. Keck Foundation
Brave Beginnings, a program of the Will Rogers
Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Helen and Norm Coulson
Linda and Russ Delaney
Sue and Victor Georgino / Grinnell Development
Dr. Rex and Mrs. Yael Hoffman
Dr. Bernard and Mrs. Julie Klein
Porter Valley Country Club
William Hannon Foundation
Kristie and Kerry Carmody
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Carolyne and Billy Edwards
Susan Egami
Elena Y. Fajardo
Barry Goldbaum and Michael Rey
Hamer Toyota, Inc.
David E. Hanpeter, M.D.
Sarah Hogenesch
Beverly Holland
Jennifer Keller
Haley L. Kowalski
Susan Y. Lee
Barbara and Richard Marciniak
Jennifer W. Mau
Nancy McCleneghan
Yvonne and David Medoff / TriMed, Inc.
Sherri and Tom Mendelson
Patricia A. Moreno
Christine Morgan
Linda F. Navarro
Roxanne Ojeda
Caroline Pascua
Stella and Jim Pilarski
Mara and Robert Raggi
Frolaine C. Tabing
June and Michael Westerson
Brian Williams