03/24/2026
Rebecca Lewis knew her daughter, Anastasia, was in good hands after being born premature at 4 lbs., 13.8 ounces at 34 weeks and 1 day gestation on Feb. 16 at Franciscan Health Lafayette East.
After all, Franciscan Health Lafayette East’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is designated as a Level 3 NICU. This designation recognizes the staff’s expertise in caring for critically ill newborns. The NICU at Franciscan Health Lafayette East possesses the resources to provide this specialized care close to home.
Thanks to a new collaboration, Franciscan Health Lafayette East has teamed with neonatologists from Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis, to offer neonatology services in Lafayette, bolstering an already robust NICU.
The collaboration started at the beginning of this year and allows for continuity of care for babies who may need to transfer to a higher level of care, as they will be cared for by the same neonatologists who have already provided care at Franciscan.
“It was very important to have the level of care that is offered by Franciscan and Ascension,” said Lewis. “Being able to be that much closer to her, especially if something were to happen, was important to me. Just having that little bit of extra time taken out of your drive helps. Also, it was easier for family to visit her in Lafayette, so it is not all on you. You don’t feel like you are the only one there. You have that support.”
During the couple of weeks that Anastasia was in the NICU and Rebecca commuted to Lafayette, she felt like she was always in the know. If she ever had questions, she felt comfortable asking them and received prompt answers.
“Everyone was so good about communicating,” said Lewis. “Sometimes, it was a little disheartening, the fact that she was still in the NICU, but they were so good about saying, ‘No, this is normal and she is not supposed to be outside yet.’ Everyone was cheerleaders for us when we were struggling. Having that support meant everything to me.”
For any expectant mothers, Lewis is quick to recommend the team at Franciscan and Ascension for their neonatal services, especially those who may live in rural areas in the greater Lafayette area, who prefer the “small town feel.”
“The care Anastasia and I received was amazing,” said Lewis. “If I ever have a child again, there is no one else I would trust to take care of me and the baby. I would be right back at Franciscan.”
