Jacksonville Kiwanis Club Funds Neonatal Ventilator

On February 20, 2020, the Jacksonville, Texas Kiwanis Club presented a check to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to fund the purchase of a Neonatal Ventilator for the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville Emergency Department.  CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville is constantly seeking new procedures and technology to best serve the community in times of emergency. With help from funding through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the Emergency Department is now better prepared to care for newborn babies, should the need arise.

“It doesn’t happen too often, but it does happen,” said Dwain Coates, clinical director of the Emergency Department, speaking of deliveries in Jacksonville. “We delivered twins earlier this year. Sometimes people don’t know where else to go so they come here. We need to be best prepared to take care of the babies and the families who count on us.”

The new Neonatal Ventilator is crucial to delivering the optimal amount oxygen to the tiny lungs of a newborn baby in respiratory distress. “Their lungs are sometimes no bigger than my two thumbs,” Coates said, “so you’ll imagine the precision needed to administer the proper treatment.”

The new ventilator system is completely compatible with the current Flight For Life equipment, allowing a safe and seamless transition if the baby requires helicopter transport to the level III NICU at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler.

The Jacksonville Kiwanis Club is a longtime supporter of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and continues to help bring hope and healing to the families of Northeast Texas through their support.