ProHealth CareWMH NICU Expansion and Renovation

Listen to this article

The $20.2 million renovation and expansion of ProHealth Care Waukesha Memorial Hospital‘s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit enhances critical care for premature and ill newborns in Waukesha County.

The 44,361-square-foot project transformed the facility’s Level III NICU, adding private patient rooms, two new C-section operating suites and modernized Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum areas.

Construction teams faced significant challenges as work occurred four floors above grade in a landlocked section of the hospital. The project required extensive logistical planning for material transport while maintaining uninterrupted 24/7 hospital operations.

The team implemented a 15-phase approach, constructing temporary NICU spaces to ensure critical neonatal services continued without disruption during the renovation.

Innovative design features include specialized lighting systems that mimic natural day-night cycles with fiber optic “star” displays to support newborns’ circadian rhythms. The project also incorporated tornado-resistant windows, allowing patients to shelter in place during severe weather events.

As the only Level III NICU in Waukesha County, the expanded facility significantly improves regional health care access. Research shows private NICU rooms reduce infant infections, respiratory complications and mortality rates while supporting successful breastfeeding and healthier weight gain.

The new facility promotes family-centered care with convertible furniture, allowing parents to stay overnight with their infants. Family lounges and private showers enable extended family presence during treatments.

The project also supported local economic growth by employing Wisconsin-based contractors and suppliers while keeping specialized health care investments within the community.

The renovated NICU opened to patients in June 2024, providing essential care services for the region’s most vulnerable patients.