April 13, 2026 Georgia’s First Officially Designated Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Is at NGMC Braselton View »

Parents at risk of having a premature or ill newborn now have even more reason to trust Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton, as the hospital is the first in the state to have a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) officially designated by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) based on the national standards from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Although NGMC Braselton has operated as a Level II NICU since receiving state approval back in 2016, this new designation formally validates that the unit meets or exceeds nationally established standards for risk-appropriate neonatal care. The recognition confirms the hospital's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care for some of the region's most vulnerable patients.

"Families in our growing community deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing advanced neonatal care is available close to home," said Kevin Matson, vice president of regional hospitals at Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS). "This designation reflects our ongoing investment in specialized staff, technology and services that support healthy beginnings for every baby."

This achievement follows NGMC Gainesville's official designation as a Level III NICU last fall, further strengthening NGHS' regional network of neonatal services and ensuring families across the area have access to the right level of care at the right time.

"Receiving this designation is a significant milestone for our organization and for the families we serve," said Brittany Smith, DNP, RN, director of NICU at NGHS. "It validates the exceptional work of our neonatal team and reinforces our dedication to ensuring that babies born in our community have access to the specialized care they need close to home."

For more information about Women & Children's services at NGHS, visit nghs.com/women.