Memorial Health’s Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is one of only three hospitals in the U.S. participating in a new clinical trial focused on improving care for premature infants.
The study is evaluating a next generation feeding tube system with advanced tracking and monitoring capabilities. This FDA-cleared technology is designed to make feeding safer and more precise for premature infants in NICUs. The device includes sensors that help guide the feeding tube into the baby’s stomach and alert the care team if the tube shifts. It also monitors digestive activity to identify complications and help manage feeding schedules.
Dr. Brad Buckler, medical director for Memorial Health’s Level IV NICU, says the study’s findings could lead to significant improvements in how feeding is managed, as well as better outcomes for premature babies.
In December 2025, Memorial Health’s neonatal intensive care unit earned the designation of a Level IV NICU from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Georgia Department of Public Health. This means the team can provide the highest level of care for premature and critically ill newborns. Memorial Health is the first Regional Perinatal Center/Birthing Hospital in Georgia to receive AAP-accredited Level IV NICU status.
Since 2018, Memorial Health and its parent company, HCA Healthcare, have added 28 beds and invested $30 million to expand neonatal intensive care services in southeast Georgia.