Bertha Stebens Foundation and other MercyOne North Iowa Birth Center supporters fund NICU upgrade

Recently, MercyOne North Iowa Foundation received a $5,000 grant from the Bertha Stebens Foundation. This incredible gift, along with donations from our dedicated supporters made in September during Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Awareness Month, makes a real difference in the lives of our tiniest patients. We’ll upgrade our non-invasive jaundice meter for our NICU, ensuring we continue providing accurate, gentle jaundice screening without uncomfortable needle pricks. 

Dedicated to providing clinical excellence for all patients, the MercyOne North Iowa Birth Center care team is committed to providing a healing and compassionate care environment for the area’s newest arrivals and their families. Proud to offer the highest level of care possible at our facility, pediatric hospitalists staff our Level II NICU - the only Level II NICU within our 15-county service area. Nearly 200 babies from the region require advanced care in the NICU each year, so investing in this invaluable service area positively impacts the lives of our most vulnerable individuals. 

Jaundice is a common condition for newborns, causing a yellowing of the skin. It's essential to identify and monitor jaundice because, in rare cases, it can lead to serious complications.   Traditionally, screening for jaundice involved uncomfortable blood draws for these tiny patients – a process that can be upsetting for both the baby and their parents. MercyOne North Iowa uses a non-invasive jaundice meter to provide a more comfortable care experience.  

Thanks to our donors, we can upgrade this essential tool. "We are so grateful to the Bertha Stebens Foundation and our local NICU donors," says Linda Latham, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services. "This new jaundice meter ensures we deliver the same high level of care without causing any unnecessary discomfort. This amazing device allows us to screen for jaundice without a single needle prick. Non-invasive meters use gentle light to accurately measure bilirubin levels, providing the same reliable results as traditional methods, but in a much more comfortable way.”  

“Assisting with the funding for this project,” explains Scott Brown, President of the Bertha Stebens Foundation, “was considered by the board of directors to be a project that will directly benefit and support the health and well-being of our youngest local citizens and their families by providing the latest, non-invasive health care technology for NICU care.”

The Bertha Stebens Foundation, which benefits the people of Mason City and Cerro Gordo County, continues to be a valuable community partner in supporting local health care initiatives and improving overall patient experience. Their support, along with donations from individuals passionate about our NICU, makes these advancements possible. Every gift, large or small, helps us provide the best possible care to families who depend on MercyOne North Iowa.

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