HELP US RAISE $20,000 FOR THE NICU

Lisa and David Osterman are working to raise $20,000 for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital with your help! They have pledged to match donations up to a total of $10,000 in honor of their son, Daniel.

Daniel is a 1996 graduate of the NICU. He was born at 24 weeks old, weighed 1 lb, 12 oz, and spent 109 days in the NICU being cared for by a team of clinicians who the Ostermans credit for Daniel’s success. Daniel’s journey since then has been amazing. In 2019, Daniel graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. from the D'Amore-McKim School of Business, where he majored in Supply Chain Management, with minors in Data Analytics and Chinese.  He has travelled extensively throughout Europe and Asia and spent the past 9 months teaching English in Vietnam.  He is now back living and working in Boston, working as a supply chain manager for a European-based technology company.  Daniel cherishes each day as a gift and, like his parents, is dedicated to giving back to his community.

Funds raised through the Osterman Family Match will be used to purchase additional isolettes, transporters, Omni Beds, and phototherapy lights, essential tools that provide the optimal environment for preemies to prosper.  The Ostermans hope that this equipment can help future NICU “graduates” on their own successful life journey.

THE NICU AT THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital is a 54-bassinet, Level III unit that is part of New Jersey’s first state-designated Regional Perinatal Center. More than 800 newborns are cared for by the NICU each year, with length of stay ranging from 1 to over 200 days. No matter the number of days in the unit, the impact is lasting.

The NICU team provides the most comprehensive neonatal care in the state for newborns and infants with medical or surgical problems and are continually recognized for the expert patient care provided. In 2019 and 2020, Saint Peter’s was the only hospital in New Jersey to be ranked in the top 50 in Neonatology by U.S. News & World Report. The NICU has also been awarded the gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence, an honor shared with only 8 other NICU’s in the country, an award that recognizes exceptional patient care and healthy work environments.

Most recently, the NICU made national news when a couple whose son was being cared for in the NICU realized that their son's nurse, Lissa McGowan had cared for the father when he was in the NICU more than 30 years ago. The couple shared the pictures of Lissa holding both father and son on their social media accounts and it spread across the internet. The story was featured on ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, Good Morning America, and other news outlets. This is just one example of the dedication and commitment of our NICU staff.