American Medical Association President: Commitment of HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Sets Example for All

American Medical Association President Dr. Bobby Mukkamala called the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital the “north” on the compass of today’s health care landscape because of its commitment to Springfield and the surrounding region.

“To provide this kind of service needed and do it this well is a blessing for this community and an example for the rest of the country,” Dr. Mukkamala said today after a private tour of the NICU. He stopped in Springfield as part of his official duties in touring the country.

HSHS St. John’s Hospital has the only Level III NICU in an 80-mile radius of Springfield encompassing 45 counties, allowing very premature and critically ill newborns and their families to stay close to home for the care they need. In 2025, 850 babies were cared for by the NICU staff that totals more than 180 highly trained medical professionals. The youngest baby cared for in St. John’s NICU was born at 22 weeks.

Dr. Mukkamala noted that high-quality patient care goes beyond the latest in technology – it touches the heart.

“The emotional and human aspect of health care is something that really helps us live better lives,” he said. “The emotion turns into science. When families have an amazing positive emotion here, their kid is going to have a happier, healthier life.”

He said he was moved by a wall of photographs in the NICU telling the decades-long story of patients and their caregivers, calling the practice of NICU staff working at St. John’s until retirement a “unicorn” in today’s health care world.

“To see people stay here for their whole career really says something about the true motivation to be here,” he said. “It’s amazing.”