CROWN POINT – A 12-bed, 4,210-square-foot newborn intensive care unit has opened at Franciscan St. Anthony.

            The decision to open the NICU in Crown Point was driven by a growing population in southern Lake County which was increasing the number of births in Crown Point while the number of births at St. Margaret Mercy in Hammond was declining.

            The Birth Place is on the seventh floor of the hospital. The birthing suites allow the father to say with the mother and baby while brothers and sisters and grandparents can visit at any time.

            Construction began on the $2.5 million NICU last October and was completed at the end of February. Jillian Hanger, NICU nurse manager, said the unit provides specialized care for a variety of patients and has the capability to care for infants as young as 23 weeks gestation.