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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 9 Sponsored Material Ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt "The intensive care experience that we can offer now with more space is so important for our region," Young said. "As the number of babies in need of this level of care has risen, Mary Washington Healthcare and the community have come together to create a safe place that offers that Level III intensive care that will hopefully help us be able to send babies home sooner." Arshad said the locally owned nonprofit health system has been working for years to be able to ensure that parents can access the level of care their new- borns need without driving out of the region. He said planning for the new expansion sought to meet the region's needs for the next 20 to 30 years. Experience Matters The Joe and Mary Wilson NICU is the region's most experienced Level III NICU. It is staffed 24/7 by board-certified neonatologists from Children's National Hospital. Specialists from both Children's National and Virginia Commonwealth University connect local families with pediatric subspecialties close to their homes, so parents can spend less time driving, and more time getting to know their newborns. The highly specialized team also includes neonatal nurse practitioners, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, case manag- ers, dietitians and lactation consultants. That kind of care creates lasting memories during a time that is very stressful for new families. Young said the staff on the unit occasionally get visits from families with grown children who started their lives at Mary Washington. "Just last week we had a family visit. They had their 18-year-old son with them, and they said, 'This is where you were born. This is the NICU that took care of you and saved you.' And we had this spontaneous reunion," Young said. "They said, 'Mary Washington NICU was our first family.'" A Community Commitment This expansion is part of Mary Washington Healthcare's ongoing investment in women's and children's services. For parents, it means having peace of mind during one of life's most vulnerable moments. Learn More To learn more about Mary Washington Hospital's NICU and maternity care, visit MyBaby.mwhc.com Hospital leadership celebrates as Joe and Mary Wilson cut the ribbon, unveiling the new Joe and Mary Wilson NICU at Mary Washington Hospital.