JACKSONVILLE – Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County is expanding its Family Birth Place to include a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for sick and premature infants. It is expected to be completed by summer 2026.

The heightened level of care will benefit Northeast Florida, enabling families to access advanced neonatal services within their own community. Clay County, mirroring national trends, is experiencing a rise in preterm births. In 2023, 12.0% of births in Clay County were preterm (under 37 weeks' gestation), compared to 10.7% across Florida.

“This expansion will complement the award-winning care that the Family Birth Place already provides to families in Clay County,” said Bryan Walrath, president and CEO of St. Vincent’s Clay County. “We are focused on ensuring every family has access to the services they need, without having to leave their community.” The expansion will add approximately 5,000 square feet and eight Level II NICU beds in private rooms, allowing for caring for newborns from 30 weeks' gestation and/or 1,250 grams (2.75 lb.) or greater birthweight who require close monitoring and require additional support, such as feeding, temperature and mild respiratory problems.

"This marks a significant advancement in our Women's Service Line strategy across Jacksonville," said Michael Shaw, chief strategy officer for Ascension Florida. "We're committed to increasing access to high-quality services for mothers and babies throughout Northeast Florida.”

The project represents a step forward in meeting the region’s growing needs while offering opportunities for philanthropic support to help shape the future of maternal and infant care in Northeast Florida. With this expansion, St. Vincent’s Clay County will join St. Vincent’s Southside, which has the health system’s other Level II NICU. St. Vincent's Clay County has been honored with several awards for maternity care, including U.S. News and World Report’s High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) for 2024-25, Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospital for 2024 at its highest 5-ribbon level and Florida Hospital Association’s Excellence in Maternal Care for 2024.

For more information, visit www.ascension.org.