NSMC News Releases

Some of North Shore Medical Center’s (NSMC) smallest patients were invited back to the hospital this past weekend for a festive, Halloween-themed reunion to celebrate their miraculous births and recoveries at the NSMC Special Care Nursery. Dozens of patients and their families reunited with hospital nurses, therapists and physicians.

The festivities included entertainment and refreshments, but the real treat for the families was reconnecting with the staff that cared for their bundles of joy. “I can’t believe we’ve been holding this reunion for 25 years now,” says Suzanne Nevins, R.N., NSMC neonatal nurse. “Anyone on our staff would tell you that there’s no greater gift than seeing a patient you cared for months later at this event as a strong, healthy child.” 

Located at NSMC Salem Hospital, the 12-bed Special Care Nursery is designed to care for babies who need medical monitoring and specialized services not routinely available in standard maternity rooms or community hospital nurseries. Last year alone, hundreds of babies were admitted to the hospital’s recently renovated Special Care Nursery. 

The renovated Special Care Nursery is more than quadruple the physical size of the old unit, creating a more spacious, private and peaceful environment for babies and their families. In addition to being larger and more private, the nursery also includes a waiting room for families and additional space that can be used for physician-family consultation and patient education. Enhanced lighting and sound calm the environment, and a centralized bedside monitoring system facilitates faster and more accurate delivery of care. 

“I have been with NSMC for almost 10 years now and you’d think I’d be accustomed to the rewarding feeling you get when you are reconnected with these patients but it still gets me every time,” says Katheryn Nathe, M.D., NSMC Interim Chief of Neonatology. “We care for these patients when their most fragile and vulnerable, so to see them thriving is truly a touching experience.”

NSMC (North Shore Medical Center) is a multi-site health system headquartered in Salem, Mass., which includes NSMC Salem Hospital, NSMC Union Hospital in Lynn, MassGeneral for Children at North Shore Medical Center, NSMC Heart Center, NSMC Women’s Center and the physician network known as North Shore Physicians Group. NSMC and Massachusetts General Hospital together provide care at the Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care and the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center in Danvers. NSMC is a member of Partners HealthCare, which was founded by Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. #northshoremed