Intensive Care Nursery (NICU)

When the tiniest, critically ill patients arrive at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, they will enter a new multi-million dollar neonatal care nursery designed to speed their growth and development and shorten their hospital stays.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery at the University of Tennessee Medical Center opened in 1970 due to the generosity of the late Katherine and Tom Black. It was designed to enhance the care of sick and/or premature infants and today serves as the regional referral center for East Tennessee.

Should your baby need specialized care, our Level III, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provides the highest level of comprehensive care right down the hall. The Labor and Delivery Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and newly renovated Mother / Baby unit are all conveniently located on the third floor of the Medical Center so that you do not have to go anywhere else for your care.The nursery is a Level III center that provides state-of-the-art care and 24-hour physician coverage as well as emergency, laboratory and other specialized services—the only nursery of its kind in the region.

Many healthcare professionals are involved in the care of sick and/or premature infants. The following are members of the intensive care nursery team at UT Medical Center.

• Nurses—Constantly observe the infants, their responses to treatment and their environment. Perform treatments, explain care to parents, provide emotional support and hold and talk to infants.
• Physicians—Neonatologists specialize in the care of sick/premature infants and are available on site 24 hours a day to meet the infant’s special needs.
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioners—Nurses who have received advanced training in the care of sick newborns and work closely with the physicians in deciding the proper plan of care for the infants. They are members of the emergency transport team.
• Other important members of the team include social workers, respiratory therapists, pediatric nutritionists, lactation specialists, physical and occupational therapists, unit secretaries and cuddlers.

Healthcare coordinators are available by calling 865.305.6970; Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or emailing hcc@mc.utmck.edu.