SARASOTA, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2025) – Sarasota Memorial’s tiniest and most fragile patients are wrapped in love this Valentine’s Day, as the Sarasota Campus’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) helps families celebrate the strength, resilience and precious spirit of each little sweetheart in their care.
Meet Vittorio, who is just eight days old. He was born prematurely at 25 weeks, weighing a mere 1 lb, 11 oz, at SMH's freestanding ER in North Port. The North Port ER team typically doesn’t deliver babies, except in emergency situations like this one. Thanks to their swift and expert care, along with SMH’s dedicated NICU transport team, Vittorio was safely delivered and transferred to SMH-Sarasota’s intensive care nursery for specialized care. His journey is just beginning, and we are all cheering him on every step of the way!
"The NICU is a place where families experience both great challenges and immense joy," said Abby Olsen, director of Women and Children’s Services at SMH-Sarasota. "We love helping these little ones celebrate their first Valentine’s Day…it’s a reminder of how love, care, and strength can make all the difference in a baby's journey to health.”
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota Campus has cared for the region’s critically ill newborns and premature babies for the past 40 years. The only Level III intensive care nursery in the Suncoast region, the NICU is equipped with the latest technology and specialized neonatologists and neonatal nurses who provide around-the-clock specialty care.
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County’s largest employer, the community-owned health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice, freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. Founded in 1925, SMH is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025 and encouraging community members to visit smh.com/100 throughout the year for centennial events and updates.