Level II NICU care for Clay County coming soon
Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County Level II NICU expansion is a step toward bringing specialized newborn care closer to home for families in Northwest Florida.
Having advanced care close to home matters, when you need specialized maternity care. On March 24, 2026, Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County broke ground on a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit expansion at the Family Birth Place in Middleburg, Florida. This new NICU gives families in Clay County and Northeast Florida access to advanced care without having to travel far for it.
A Level II NICU, sometimes called a special care nursery, supports newborns who need more than routine newborn care. Many babies in a Level II NICU benefit from extra monitoring and short-term specialized treatment before they are ready to go home.
This expansion is planned to support newborns generally from 30 weeks gestation or 2.75 lb. or greater birthweight who require close monitoring and additional support, such as help with feeding, temperature regulation, and mild respiratory concerns, when clinically appropriate.
The Level II NICU expansion will add 5,000 square feet of new space that allows the care team to grow, more space for additional patients and more room for families. We are adding 8 NICU beds to private rooms.
“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 Ascension 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.”
Clay County is growing, and so is the need for specialized care close to home. Expanding access to specialized newborn care locally can help families stay closer to their support systems during stressful moments.
“We’re committed to increasing access to high-quality services for mothers and babies throughout Northeast Florida,” said Scott Kashman, Interim Market Lead for Ascension St. Vincent’s. “This expansion will provide the next level of care that new and expecting families in Clay County deserve.”
When a newborn may need NICU care
Most families do not expect their baby to need NICU support, but newborn complications can happen even after a healthy pregnancy. An infant may need additional monitoring or specialized care for symptoms or conditions such as:
- Feeding difficulties or trouble gaining weight
- Low blood sugar or signs of infection that require closer observation
- Newborn breathing problems, including mild respiratory distress
- Premature birth or preterm delivery
- Trouble maintaining body temperature
When a baby needs additional support, NICU teams use careful monitoring and common newborn assessments to help guide the diagnosis and plan of care. This can include tracking breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, temperature, and feeding patterns. Tests may include blood sugar checks, bilirubin levels for jaundice, and other lab tests or imaging when needed.
Your baby’s care plan is based on their personalized needs, and families receive updates and guidance throughout the stay.
Why bringing NICU care closer to home matters in Clay County
With this expansion, St. Vincent’s Clay County will join St. Vincent’s Southside, which has the health system’s other Level II NICU, strengthening newborn services across Northeast Florida.
Learn more about the Family Birth Place at St. Vincent’s Clay County.
Last updated: May 1, 2026