Deborah F. Sager Memorial Fund

04/04/2026

04/03/2026

A little Easter magic in the NICU 🐰

These bunnies may be tiny, but the love, care, and resilience surrounding our Deborah F. Sager NICU babies is bigger than ever. Wishing our families hope, healing, and a joyful season.

03/25/2026

Behind the scenes, the Deborah F. Sager NICU is always preparing for the unexpected. From emergency simulations and staff training to backup power systems and rapid-response protocols, preparation is key to keeping vulnerable newborns safe.

These safeguards ensure that no matter the situation, babies continue receiving uninterrupted, lifesaving care. It’s one of the many ways NICU teams plan ahead, so families don’t have to worry during already stressful moments.

03/18/2026

The first weeks of life are critical for brain development, especially for premature and medically fragile babies. In the Deborah F. Sager NICU, our care team uses evidence-based practices to protect and support developing brains, including gentle handling, minimizing noise and light and clustering care to promote rest.

These approaches help support neurological development during a time when the brain is growing rapidly. By focusing on both medical treatment and developmental protection, NICUs give babies the strongest possible foundation for the future.

Learn more and donate to the Deborah F. Sager Memorial Fund: https://www.inspirahealthnetwork.org/inspira-health-foundation/explore-giving/deborah-f-sager-memorial-fund

03/04/2026

March is National Nutrition Month, and nutrition is a cornerstone of NICU care.

NICU teams carefully plan how and when babies receive nutrition, whether through breast milk, donor milk, formula or IV nutrition. Lactation consultants work closely with parents to support milk supply, feeding techniques and transitions from tube feeding to bottle or breastfeeding.

Each feeding milestone supports growth, brain development and overall health—making nutrition a vital part of every NICU journey. At the Deborah F. Sager NICU, we provide access to breastfeeding counseling and support, as well as donor milk for those facing challenges with producing milk.

02/25/2026

The Deborah F. Sager NICU recognizes families as essential partners in care, and research shows that family-centered practices improve outcomes for babies.

Encouraging parental involvement, shared decision-making and open communication helps reduce stress, support bonding and build confidence that lasts long after discharge. Families who feel informed and included are better prepared to care for their babies at home.

This approach reflects a growing shift in neonatal care—one that treats the whole family, not just the diagnosis.

Support care that puts families first: https://www.inspirahealthnetwork.org/inspira-health-foundation/explore-giving/deborah-f-sager-memorial-fund

02/18/2026

Neonatal care has come a long way, and NICU babies today benefit from remarkable advancements in medicine and technology.

Thanks to a grant from The Superhero Project, the Deborah F. Sager NICU is now able to provide comprehensive care for newborns with neurological trauma related to blood-oxygen levels. The new equipment includes an EEG device for monitoring brain activity in real time. With this technology, the care team can provide comprehensive body cooling therapy and the necessary monitoring and imaging, eliminating the need for transfers in most cases.

Read more: https://www.inspirahealthnetwork.org/news/press-release/grant-superhero-project-inc-supports-newborns-inspira-vinelands-deborah-f-sager

02/11/2026

In the NICU, love shows up in quiet, powerful ways.

Skin-to-skin care, gentle touch and being present at the bedside all play an important role in a baby’s development. Research shows that family involvement can help regulate a baby’s breathing and heart rate, support weight gain and reduce stress for both baby and parent. The Deborah F. Sager NICU has even implemented the “Eat, Sleep, Console” method, which uses physical touch instead of pharmaceutical treatment to address neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

This Valentine’s season, we celebrate the love, strength and dedication of NICU families—and the bonds that help babies heal and grow.

02/06/2026

February is American Heart Month, and in the NICU, heart health is a critical focus from the very beginning.

Some babies are born with heart conditions or develop complications that require specialized monitoring, medication or advanced interventions. The Deborah F. Sager NICU care team closely tracks heart rate, oxygen levels and blood flow to ensure babies receive the support they need.

With early diagnosis, experienced care and ongoing monitoring, many babies with heart-related challenges go on to grow stronger and healthier every day.

Your generosity helps ensure NICU babies have the resources they need for a strong future. Learn more about the Deborah F. Sager Memorial Fund: https://www.inspirahealthnetwork.org/inspira-health-foundation/explore-giving/deborah-f-sager-memorial-fund

02/02/2026

Leaving the NICU is a major milestone, but for many families, it’s just the next step in their baby’s care journey.

After discharge, babies may continue to receive follow-up care to monitor growth, development, feeding, vision, hearing and overall health. Some families work with pediatric specialists or early intervention services to support meeting developmental milestones.

Before going home, parents receive education on feeding, medications, safe sleep and signs to watch for so they feel confident caring for their baby outside the hospital. At the Deborah F. Sager NICU, our goal is to prepare families not just to leave, but to thrive.

01/28/2026

Caring for NICU babies takes more than medicine—it takes compassion, patience and teamwork.

NICU nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, lactation consultants, social workers and support staff work together every day to care for medically fragile newborns and their families. They monitor vital signs, manage complex treatments, support feeding and bonding and provide reassurance during stressful moments.

As the year begins, we thank this extraordinary, award-winning team for their dedication to the tiniest patients—and the families who depend on them.