Neonatal Excellence in Central Texas
Located squarely between Austin and Waco, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple serves as a critical care hub for families across Central Texas. While it may not have the visibility of the state’s largest children’s hospitals, its Level III NICU quietly plays a lifesaving role for hundreds of newborns each year.
Here, premature and medically fragile infants are cared for with focused expertise, and parents are given the space, guidance, and partnership they need in those first uncertain days.
Level III NICU Capabilities in Temple
The NICU at Baylor Scott & White – Temple is equipped to manage a wide range of neonatal conditions, especially for babies born at 28 weeks gestation or later. The unit includes:
24-hour neonatologist coverage
Respiratory support, including CPAP and mechanical ventilation
Comprehensive lab, imaging, and diagnostic services
Consultation with pediatric cardiologists, neurologists, and other subspecialists
Onsite maternal-fetal medicine for high-risk deliveries
While it does not perform neonatal surgery in-house, the unit is well-prepared to stabilize and manage infants with moderate medical needs—and can coordinate transfers when higher-level intervention is needed.
Regional Support for Rural and Suburban Hospitals
Temple’s NICU is a lifeline for smaller hospitals in:
Bell, Coryell, McLennan, and Williamson counties
Rural towns such as Gatesville, Cameron, Lampasas, and Killeen
Community hospitals and birth centers without in-house NICU capabilities
Families often find themselves unexpectedly transferred here after a delivery that didn’t go according to plan. And while the drive to Temple may feel long in the moment, many later realize it was the right call—and the right place—for their baby’s care.
A NICU That Prioritizes Families, Not Just Diagnoses
One of the most important features of this NICU is its emphasis on family involvement. Parents are not expected to wait in the hallway or be spoken to in shorthand. Instead, they’re brought into the process, day by day, with:
Daily physician updates and open communication
Onsite sleeping accommodations and visitation flexibility
Lactation services and education on preemie care
Emotional and spiritual support from trained staff
Here, parents aren’t just comforted—they’re empowered.
When the Experience Leaves You With Unanswered Questions
The NICU is where so many “what-ifs” are born. What if signs of distress were missed earlier? What if something went wrong during delivery? What if my child’s future challenges could have been prevented?
If your baby now lives with a serious or permanent condition and you’re wondering if negligence might have played a role—before, during, or after delivery—we’re here to help you get clear answers. At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we don’t make assumptions. We listen, we investigate, and when necessary, we act.
No pressure. Just guidance from a team that knows how much this matters.
