Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) has taken a major step forward in neonatal care thanks to a generous grant from Kosair for Kids, which assisted the hospital in acquiring three new Panda Freestanding Warmers for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. NICU equipment is critical and designed to promote the health and well-being of newborns, including premature and critically ill infants.
For decades, families across eastern Kentucky faced immense challenges accessing neonatal intensive care services. That changed when PMC opened its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which has since expanded to meet the growing need for specialized infant care. Today, PMC’s Advanced Level II NICU can treat up to 16 infants, providing vital, life-saving care to some of the region’s most fragile patients.
“These Panda Warmers are so much more than medical devices,” said Kayla Amburgey, Clinical Manager of Women’s & Children’s Services. “They represent hope, comfort and a healthy start for our tiniest patients. Thanks to Kosair for Kids, we can continue to provide the highest level of care to every newborn, receiving warmth, stability and critical monitoring during their most vulnerable moments.”
The Panda Freestanding Warmers feature cutting-edge technology, including advanced thermoregulation, full resuscitation capability and SpO₂ monitoring all in a single, efficient design. Their innovative “Hourglass Heat Profile” provides uniform warmth across the mattress while keeping caregivers cool and comfortable. With this advanced technology, newborns are cared for in the safest, most effective environment possible.
As the only hospital in the region offering specialized neonatal care, PMC serves an estimated 450,000 residents across a 50-mile radius, including 100,000 children. The hospital is a not-for-profit healthcare organization and a designated Critical Shortage Facility located in a Medically Underserved Community in the Appalachian region.
Since the expansion of the NICU in 2020, doubling capacity from 8 to 16 incubators, PMC has continued to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and professional expertise to meet the increasing demand for neonatal and pediatric services. The addition of these warmers assists newborns, whether born prematurely, facing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), or experiencing other medical complications, in receiving immediate, specialized care close to home.
“Kosair for Kids has been a steadfast partner in our mission to provide world-class medical care for families in eastern Kentucky,” said Donovan Blackburn, President and CEO of Pikeville Medical Center “Their generosity allows us to expand critical services, strengthen our pediatric infrastructure, and give every child in the Bluegrass State the best possible start in life.”
As PMC continues to grow, the partnership with Kosair for Kids stands as a powerful example of how collaboration and community support can change lives. Together, they are helping the smallest patients receive the biggest gift of all: a chance to thrive