For families in north-central Oklahoma, the birth of a newborn in need of specialized care often meant an uncertain journey—sometimes miles away from home. But that reality is changing. With the opening of the OnCue Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Stillwater Medical, parents now have access to high-quality neonatal care closer to home.
This state-of-the-art Level II NICU, a $2.5 million investment, is the only one of its kind in the area. Through a partnership with Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, the OnCue NICU will have a dedicated neonatologist and 24-hour neonatal nurse practitioner coverage. The facility ensures that premature and at-risk newborns receive immediate, specialized attention without the stress of long-distance transfers.
“This is a testament to the power of community,” said Michal Shaw, Vice President of Foundation and Community Outreach at Stillwater Medical. “Together, we’ve created a space where families will be held in care, compassion, and community, right here in Stillwater.”
Later this month, the OnCue NICU will be open to patients, offering 10 beds, a C-section procedure room, a lactation room, family spaces and technology to provide advanced care in a comforting environment. The facility is equipped to monitor and treat conditions such as jaundice, feeding difficulties and mild respiratory complications for babies born at or after 32 weeks gestation. The highly trained team of neonatologists and nurses will provide around-the-clock care tailored to each newborn’s needs.
Dr. Trent Tipple, Chief of Neonatology at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, emphasized how vital this NICU is for the region. “This facility ensures that even when higher levels of care are needed, the transition will be seamless, minimizing the disruption to families and their support systems,” he said.
The need for enhanced neonatal care in Oklahoma is urgent. Prematurity remains the leading cause of neonatal death and disability, with nearly 12% of babies in the state born preterm—higher than the national average. Existing Level III and IV NICUs, which provide the highest levels of newborn care, often operate at full capacity. The OnCue NICU will bridge this gap, ensuring more babies can stay close to home, where research shows they recover faster and experience improved bonding and breastfeeding rates.
“The OnCue NICU represents our commitment to improving lives through excellent, quality care. This facility allows us to serve our neighbors—and the state—like never before,” said Denise Webber, CEO of Stillwater Medical.
The opening of the OnCue NICU is more than an expansion of medical services; it’s a promise to families that their newborns will receive the best possible care without leaving their community. This milestone reaffirms the power of collaboration and compassion in advancing healthcare for Stillwater and beyond.
