Valley Children's ranked one of the top in the country for neonatology

MADERA COUNTY (KFSN) -- Valley Children's hospital was just named one of the top children's hospitals in the country in the area of neonatology-- the care of newborns.

Valley Children's began nearly seven decades ago and is the region's only NICU certified by the state.

"For us, the true reward is seeing the children of our Valley grow and have healthy young lives," said Todd Suntrapak, Valley Children's CEO/President.

The rankings were determined by reputation, patient survival, patient safety, and care-related factors like nursing staffing and patient services.

Chief of newborn medicine Dr. Jeffrey Pietz become emotional talking about their patients like Tyson Perez.

"Tyson is five-years-old. His birth weight was 360 grams."

Pietz pointed out that Tyson overcame the odds to survive, and thanks to the work of everyone at the hospital, stories like this happen every day.

"I'm not a religious guy, but you're doing God's work."

Every year Valley Children's cares for about 1,500 patients at the Neonatal intensive care unit. It's here in this wing that healing takes place week by week.

Mother Kali Gonzalves has been spending her days in the NICU since baby Ella came into the world early in May.

"They not only take care of my baby, but they're really kind to me and understanding."

A mother who said she's grateful for the life-sustaining work this hospital does every day in the Valley.