Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Level III NICU in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at UMass Memorial Medical Center – Children’s Medical Center is the region’s only Level III NICU, caring for extremely premature babies and newborns with complex medical needs. A Level III NICU is equipped to treat babies born as early as 22 weeks gestation. As a regional referral center, we also receive babies from other birthing centers who need the high level of care our team provides.

Pediatric Inpatient Care

We know that children aren’t small adults. They have unique needs that need to be met. If your child is an inpatient at our UMass Memorial Medical Center – Children’s Medical Center, you can be assured that our caregivers have special training in caring for infants, children and adolescents.

Pediatric Social Work

Injury and illness affect the entire family. Our UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center Pediatric Social Work Program helps you and your child cope with illness and with the adjustment to diagnosis and treatment.

Licensed pediatric social workers provide services based on the unique needs of your child and family.

Social Work Services We Provide

Our caring team of clinical social workers assists in many areas, including:

Family-Centered Care Core Concepts

The caregivers at the UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center follow family-centered care core concepts. These concepts guide us in providing the best care possible to you and your family. The core concepts of family-centered care empower families in the care of their children.

Family Strengths

The family is the constant in the child's life. We support and empower family members as partners and decision-makers in their child's care and help them cope more confidently with their child's illness.

Helping Children Cope with Health Care Experiences

Compassionate Children’s Medical Care in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

At the Children’s Medical Center, we care about your child’s complete well-being. That’s why we created ways to help children cope with health care experiences. 

Kid’s Comfort Promise Techniques

Kid’s Comfort Promise is an approach that makes needles hurt less, whether your child is 1 or 18. This approach uses proven tools and methods to relieve pain and stress from needles.

Pediatric HIV/AIDS

If your child is infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or is at risk for infection, he/she may need special care and treatment. Children benefit from the HIV research and care available through our Maternal-Child HIV Program and academic partner UMass Chan Medical School.

HIV Care Focused on Children

Our team of specialists will treat your child based on his/her unique needs. We focus on the following goals: