Good Samaritan Hospital’s Neonatal Staff Hosts Late Preterm Infant Seminar

Suffern, N.Y. (June 2007) – In the United States, 71% of all infants born prematurely are late preterm, which put the babies at considerable risk for complications in the newborn period, hospital re-admissions, and varying degrees of developmental delay. Infants born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation, referred to as “late preterm,” have a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality when compared with term infants, (37-42 weeks). Good Samaritan Hospital’s neonatal staff continues to address this serious condition, recently holding a professional medical seminar to share experience and expertise on the clinical issues related to late preterm infants. The full-day conference drew over 110 attendees from 11 hospitals in the northern New Jersey/New York region.

Dr. Glenn Mendoza, Director of Neonatology at Good Samaritan Hospital, and Anne Jorgenson, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at Good Samaritan, organized the professional symposium, sponsored by Ross Pediatrics and MedImmune. Jorgenson, also a faculty member of the Columbia University School of Nursing, hosted a discussion titled, “Late Preterm Infant – A Clinical Perspective.”

“The preterm birth rate in the United States has risen more than 30 percent over the past two decades,” noted Jorgenson. “Late preterm babies usually appear healthy at birth but may have more difficulties adapting than full-term babies. Considering the enormity of the current population, both the short and long term outcome of late preterm infants is a topic which is essential to analyze and discuss.”

Dr. Mendoza and Jorgensen have spent over 15 years caring specifically for late preterm infants, and are continually trying to raise awareness among medical professionals of the serious complications that can arise with late preterm births.

“We are very proud of the lifesaving work that Ann Jorgenson and Dr. Mendoza continue to do in advancing the state of medical care for late preterm infants,” noted Michael Schnieders, Executive Vice President and Administrator of Good Samaritan Hospital. “The fact that this symposium drew over 110 participants points to the fact that this is a serious issue in the neo-natal field, and is a testament to the reputation of Ann and Dr. Mendoza. We are very proud that they are on our medical staff.”

Good Samaritan Hospital is a member of Bon Secours Health System, Inc., one of the nation’s leading Catholic healthcare systems. It is also part of the regional Bon Secours Charity Health System, which includes St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, New York. Additionally, Bon Secours Charity Health System provides the services of a Certified Home Health Agency, two long-term care facilities, an assisted living and adult home facility and several other medical programs. For more information about this, or any other program, contact Good Samaritan Hospital at (845) 368-5000, or visit them on the web at www.GoodSamHosp.org.

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