As part of its $100 million Advancing Acadiana initiative, FMOL Health | Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, located at 4600 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, has completed a major expansion of its Level III Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), introducing 19 private family suites and increasing total capacity to 60 beds.
The expansion transforms what was previously a shelled third-floor space—unused for years—into a fully built-out, state-of-the-art NICU environment designed to better serve families across Acadiana and South Louisiana.
The newly expanded unit features private suites that allow families to remain with their newborns 24/7, a shift from the traditional open-bay NICU model. Each suite includes sleeping accommodations, a recliner for bonding, private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, televisions, a dedicated workspace, and in-room bottle warmers, along with advanced Philips monitoring systems.
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“This expansion is about creating an environment where families feel supported and babies receive the highest level of care,” said Dr. Amy Zeringue, NICU Medical Director and neonatologist. “Our private family suites are designed to keep families close, provide privacy, and create a nurturing space for bonding during this critical time.”
In addition to patient rooms, the unit includes dedicated family support spaces, such as a donor-funded family lounge that serves as a respite area for parents during what is often an intense and emotional experience. The design also incorporates quieter, more controlled environments compared to traditional NICU layouts, reducing noise and stimulation for newborns.
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“All of our rooms are private, light, and designed to be a healing space,” said Christine Istre, Senior Director of Children’s Services. “It’s quieter, it’s more peaceful, and families are able to stay with their babies. That alone changes the entire experience.”
The NICU at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital is the only Level III Surgical NICU in Acadiana and the broader South Louisiana region, allowing for advanced neonatal surgeries and specialized care without requiring families to travel outside the area. The hospital treats patients from more than 30 parishes and is equipped with pediatric subspecialists, pediatric general surgeons, and a dedicated transport team that can safely transfer critical newborns.
“We are the only Level III Surgical NICU in this region, which means we can care for babies who need complex surgical and critical care right here in Acadiana,” Istre said.
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The expansion also reflects a significant investment in workforce development, with 41 new team members hired ahead of the unit’s opening, including 27 registered nurses, 12 support staff members, and two nursing supervisors. All team members underwent specialized training to support neonatal care and the updated workflows of the new unit.
To bring the project online, the hospital completed extensive quality control processes, including equipment testing, environmental readiness assessments, infection prevention protocols, and regulatory approvals through the Louisiana Department of Health and the Office of Public Health. Construction was phased to ensure ongoing patient safety and uninterrupted clinical care.
From a design standpoint, the unit prioritizes both clinical efficiency and family-centered care. Features such as a dedicated staff-only transport elevator allow for safe and efficient movement of newborns from labor and delivery to the NICU, while centralized nursing stations and in-room visibility improve monitoring and response times.
The expansion comes at a critical time, as nearly 1 in 10 babies require some level of NICU support at birth. Common reasons for admission include premature birth, respiratory distress, infections, and congenital conditions requiring surgical intervention.
Chapel Addition
In addition to the NICU expansion, the hospital is in the final stages of an exterior remodel that brightens and modernizes the facility’s overall appearance, creating a more welcoming environment for patients and families. A new on-site chapel is also being added, providing a dedicated space for families to attend mass, pray, and find peace during what can often be challenging moments.
“Advancing Acadiana is a pledge to nurture the future of the community we serve,” said Stephanie Manson, president of FMOL Health | Our Lady of Lourdes. “By investing in modern and innovative facilities, we are setting a new standard for neonatal care in Acadiana.”
This NICU expansion marks the fourth completed project under the Advancing Acadiana initiative, which focuses on expanding access to high-quality, specialized healthcare across the region.
For more information, visit LourdesRMC.com/AdvancingAcadiana.
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