As part of their “Gift of Literacy” program, the Summerville Rotary Club raised funds to purchase more than 100 books to go into the library. The selection of newborn titles was cultivated by Shirley Schulz, who runs the hospital’s volunteer reading program, and purchased at Main Street Reads, Summerville’s independent bookstore.

“Through this wonderful program, our families, staff and volunteer cuddlers can read to the babies while they are in our care,” said Assaad Merchak, MD, neonatologist and NICU Medical Director. “For babies and their families with us for weeks or months, you can imagine the impact the NICU Library will have for them.”

The Rotary Club is passionate about introducing children to reading and encouraging family reading time. In addition to having access to more than 100 books in the library, each NICU baby will go home with their own copy of “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?” provided by the Summerville Rotary Club.

Summerville Medical Center’s NICU is the only Level II facility in Dorchester County, caring for infants delivered as early as 32 weeks. The hospital provides 24/7 care by board-certified neonatologists and specially trained nursing staff, and is the only Lowcountry hospital offering NICView to NICU families. NicView is state-of-the-art technology that makes it easy for families to watch their newborn anytime, anywhere and on any electronic device through a secure 24/7 portal. For moms who are discharged from the hospital but her baby is in our NICU to the military spouse stationed overseas and family members spread across the country, NICView bridges the gap for families eager to bond with their baby but limited by distance and other circumstances.

“We are proud to provide families in Dorchester County and surrounding areas neonatal care closer to home,” commented Erinn Kasubinski, Director of Pediatrics & NICU at Summerville Medical Center.

“Having easy access to high quality care and a compassionate team for your newborn is critical for a new parent, and encourages healing and growth even faster.”

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Summerville Medical Center is a 124-bed, acute-care hospital with a 24-hour emergency room, a dedicated ER for children, and comprehensive medical services. The facility enjoys an enviable reputation for its women’s and children’s services including "home-like" birthing suites. Surgical services include orthopedic, reflux, robotic and weight loss surgeries. Summerville Medical Center is part of Trident Health, which has earned recognition as a leader in the delivery of healthcare in the Lowcountry.

For more than 40 years staff and physicians at Trident Health have provided acute healthcare services to families in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Services are provided through its two hospitals, Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center; two freestanding emergency departments, Moncks Corner Medical Center and Centre Pointe Emergency; and two urgent care centers, CareNow Urgent Care Goose Creek and CareNow Urgent Care North Charleston. Both hospitals have received top ranking as Joint Commission Top Hospitals for Quality Performance and are Joint Commission Certified for Advanced Heart Failure and Advanced Primary Stroke Centers. Trident Health is one of the South Carolina Lowcountry’s largest employers with more than 2,500 employees and has a medical staff of nearly 500 physicians. In 2017 it provided $47.6 million in uncompensated care and paid $35.5 million in local, state and federal taxes. To learn more about how Trident Health is growing to meet the needs of our growing region and how to join our team go to www.tridenthealthsystem.com.