Campbell County Health Earns AAP Level II Neonatal Facility Designation

Campbell County Health has officially been recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as a Designated Level II Neonatal Facility, an achievement that reinforces the level of care available to newborns and families in northeast Wyoming.

For local families, this recognition means more than a title. It means an outside team of neonatal experts reviewed Campbell County Health’s neonatal services, policies, staffing, training, quality improvement efforts, and patient care processes and confirmed that the organization meets the established criteria for Level II neonatal care.

That review included a detailed pre-review questionnaire and an on-site survey by a neonatologist and a neonatal nurse, as well as an evaluation of the Maternal Child Unit’s broader support systems, including lactation support, neonatal resuscitation readiness, nurse education, staffing flexibility, social work availability, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, diagnostic imaging, and discharge planning. The survey also confirmed that direct care staff receive neonatal-specific education and skills validation, including preparation for low-volume, high-risk events.

“This designation is really a stamp of approval,” said Cass Hurley, RNC, manager of the Maternal Child Unit. “The American Academy of Pediatrics looked at our processes, our policies, and the care we have provided to previous patients and confirmed that we are providing Level II NICU care for our babies.”

A Level II neonatal facility is equipped to care for infants born at 32 weeks gestation or later, or weighing at least 1,500 grams, who may be pre-term, need extra monitoring, require CPAP, or need short-term breathing support while recovering or before transfer to a higher-level facility if needed. The AAP also confirmed that Campbell County Health has the staffing, training, equipment, and referral relationships needed to safely care for babies at that level.

This designation helps reassure parents that if a newborn needs a higher level of observation or treatment, much of that care can begin right here in Gillette.

“I think it just validates that what we are doing and the processes we have in place are what we should be doing to provide Level II NICU care in our community,” Hurley said.

The AAP review looked at much more than equipment. It also examined how Campbell County Health supports families during a stressful and vulnerable time. The review confirmed standards for family-centered care, including reasonable parental access to infants, support for families’ physical, developmental, and psychosocial needs, screening for social needs, and referral to additional resources when needed. Surveyors also noted family involvement in care and adequate space for families to participate in the NICU environment.

In its congratulatory letter, the AAP said the designation reflects the team’s dedication to improving neonatal care through ongoing participation in the Neonatal Excellence Program and praised the organization’s commitment to creating a culture of excellence, increasing transparency of capabilities, and advancing health equity.

Another important piece of that care is Campbell County Health’s collaboration with Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. The AAP survey confirmed that the hospital maintains a consultative relationship with a higher-level neonatal facility and has a referral relationship with a Level IV NICU. The review also noted collaboration with Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children on transport policies and training.

That partnership means local families benefit from both close-to-home care and access to outside expertise when needed.

“Even though we are in rural Wyoming, the care you receive here on both the OB side and the neonatal side should give families confidence,” Hurley stated. “We are able to tap into expert resources and have validation of our practices, so you can rest assured that you are in great hands when you walk through our doors.”

Hurley said the designation would not have been possible without the hard work of Tracy L. Wasserburger, NNP, who helped champion the effort from the ground up. For years, Wasserburger had hoped to see the facility achieve this recognition, and Hurley said she played a key role in organizing documentation, collecting the necessary data, and preparing for the survey process. Her long-standing passion for neonatal care helped make this milestone possible for Campbell County Health and the families it serves.

Hurley also expressed that the designation reflects the strong support of Campbell County Health’s Maternal Child Team, including OB providers, pediatric hospitalists, and Maternal Child Committee leaders, all of whom played an important role in pursuing this recognition. She said their support speaks to a shared commitment to providing excellent care for both mothers and babies. Physicians recognized for their involvement include Dr. Beck, Dr. Bissonette, Dr. Wilkerson, Dr. Sabey, Dr. Goeken, Dr. Vo, Dr. Jensen, Dr. Biggs, and Dr. Jones. Their partnership helped strengthen the effort to achieve this designation and reflects the teamwork behind the care families receive at CCH.

For mothers and families planning to deliver at CCH, this designation offers reassurance that they can expect not only obstetric care, but also a team prepared to respond if a baby needs extra help after birth. It means parents can feel confident knowing their newborn can receive high-quality, validated neonatal care close to home, while also reflecting the organization’s commitment to continuously improving care.

More info regarding our Maternal Child Unit can be found on our website.