Freeman Ensures Families Can Keep Watch Over NICU Babies

Joplin, Mo. – For many families, separation from their newborn baby due to medical issues is one of the most emotionally difficult situations they will ever face. Freeman Health System is proud of its strong relationship with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States, which provides a “home away from home” for families whose baby is required to stay in the Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). 

Now, in celebration of its 90th anniversary, Freeman is working to make that separation even less difficult by donating five Apple iPad® mobile devices to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States. The iPads will enable families to see live video of their baby when the family is away from the hospital via AngelEye® camera system. A camera mounted to the baby’s crib provides parents 24-hour access to their child, helping ease the pain of separation if they must leave the hospital for any length of time. AngelEye was designed to encourage bonding between parent and child, incorporating a one-way, low-decibel audio system, so parents can talk to their child. The system also brings extended families together, as parents can allow access to as many as 20 loved ones who wish to see their baby via any web browser regardless of location. Parents can also be assured of online security as families use the system. All accounts associated with the infant are removed once an infant is discharged.

Freeman unveiled AngelEye in August 2014 when Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals donated the system in celebration of Freeman NICU’s 20th anniversary. As the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Freeman benefits from the generosity of the charitable organizations and businesses that support it. AngelEye was purchased from funds raised during Walmart and Sam’s Club’s 2014 campaign to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Freeman is the only hospital in Missouri to offer AngelEye technology. 

“Freeman has always been committed to providing unparalleled care to our newborns and their families, not only from a medical standpoint, but with emotional support as well. We appreciate the work being done by Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States, and we’re thrilled to provide our families with access to the new iPads so they can look in on their baby any time they choose,” said Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer.

“We’re excited to accept this donation from Freeman,” said Annette Thurston, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States. “These new iPads, in conjunction with Freeman NICU’s AngelEye technology, will greatly assist us in helping families experience a feeling of normalcy, even in the midst of a very challenging situation.”

Baker presented the iPads to Thurston at a ceremony at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 3, at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States in Joplin.

Freeman Health System – Celebrating 90 Years
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2014, Freeman earned 90 individual awards for medical excellence and safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman #1 Hospital in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2014 Hospital Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo. #FreemanTurns90