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Preemies ‘great survivors’
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iant steps in development achieved by tiny babies in Red Deer’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was recognized on Thursday during World Prematurity Day. “These little guys are great survivors,” said San-
dra Walker-Kendall, NICU and pediatrics unit manager at a celebration for past and present families at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre’s NICU. “It’s a team approach. There’s pediatricians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, dietitians, that all work together to support these babies from the time of birth to the point they
are going home.” Red Deer’s NICU has 17 beds available for premature babies. In 2015, the unit had 478 admissions. Up to Oct. 31 this year, there were 260. Mother Lisa Smikles, 32, of Ponoka, said her son Keaton, who turned 36-weeks old on Thursday, was making great progress in the NICU where there was lots of support and resources and a wonderful
staff. “He’s doing really, really well. What they can do for them now is amazing,” Lisa said. “There’s hope for them. Just because they’re born early doesn’t mean they’re not strong and they’re not going to do well and not going to develop properly.” See PREEMIES on page 3
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BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF
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Photo by SUSAN ZIELINSKI/Advocate staff
Jennifer Jerome, of Blackfalds, is staying at Ronald McDonald House Central Alberta while her premature baby Naomi remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
Former Progressive Conservative leadership candidate joins government.
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