West Boca Medical Center recently celebrated its growth with a novel groundbreaking. Some of the facility’s former patients – all treated at West Boca’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – toted ceremonial shovels and performed the honors to officially mark construction on a four-story addition that will expand the medical center’s NICU services, as well as other areas.

The centerpiece of the new structure will be 10 state-of-the-art NICU beds housed on the first floor, increasing the facility’s capacity from 24 to 34 beds.

Back Row (l-r) Courtney Brogan, Frank Brogan’s wife; Frank Brogan, FAU President; Tony Manganello, Parent of NICU Graduate; Walt Mickens, WBMC CEO; Rajiv Jagarnauth, NICU Graduate; and Shanna St. John, March of Dimes. Front Row (l-r): NICU Graduates Landy Altidor, Nicholas Dutra, Kayla Manganello, Hailey Voss, and Twins Jake and Sam Sclaver.

The 3,200-square-foot NICU addition will further expand West Boca Medical Center’s capacity to provide services to premature and at-risk infants. West Boca’s NICU holds the only Level III designation in North Broward County and Boca Raton, the highest-level rating offered by the state.

“We have always been known for being one of the top institutions in South Florida for treating the most vulnerable newborns, and now with this expansion, we’ll be able to provide more service and save even more lives,” said Walter Mickens, CEO of West Boca Medical Center.

The complete addition will contain 8,600 square feet, and three additional floors that will house the Pharmacy and Physical Therapy Centers.