Inova Alexandria Hospital dedicated its newly renovated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit recently. The renovations will help caregivers utilize the latest technology to care for premature and critically ill babies and will enhance the comfort and privacy of the unit.
The new NICU was made possible by a $1 million donation by Anne Beverly and Freeman Jones through the McCormack Foundation. The gift is one of the largest donations ever made to the hospital.
"My children would not be here today if it wasn’t for Inova Alexandria Hospital," said Anne Beverly Jones in a written statement. "My husband and I can’t say enough about the phenomenal care our twins received.
Jones and Freeman made the donation to show their gratitude to the Inova Alexandria Hospital NICU for caring for their premature twins, Charlotte and Walter. Today, the children are healthy, happy 11-year-olds.
The Charlotte and Walter Jones Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will house a new infant isolation unit, a specialized treatment room, private sleeping rooms for parents staying overnight and other features and equipment.
Each year, Inova Alexandria Hospital delivers an average of 4,000 babies. About 300 of those babies will spend some portion of their time in the NICU.
The renovated NICU is part of Project 2010, a hospital-wide renovation and expansion plan. The Inova Alexandria Hospital Foundation raises funds for this and other projects that enhance the hospital.