Dr. Zeidan Named Medical Director of Genesis NICU
DAVENPORT, IOWA - Genesis neonatologist Zahi Zeidan, M.D., who has guided the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street through a period of rapid change and growth, has been named the unit’s medical director.
In the 14 months Dr. Zeidan has been at Genesis, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, has experienced rapid growth in patient volumes. More sick babies are able to remain in the Quad Cities to receive their specialized care from Dr. Zeidan and his staff instead of being transferred.
The Genesis NICU will be expanded to add space for the increase in patient volumes. Six beds will be added for a total of 20 beds in the unit. Projected cost of the expansion is $484,575.
“I think we have taken a very smooth course in the past 14 months, especially considering that we have nearly doubled our daily census,’’ Dr. Zeidan said. “We have been able to add nurses, and we have had a very strong collaboration with pediatricians and specialists in the Quad Cities and also with the doctors at the University of Iowa.
“We’re hoping to have the same smooth transition during expansion as we move out of our unit temporarily, and then move back in.”
Jeffrey Segar, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Division of Neonatology at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, said Dr. Zeidan has strengthened the Genesis NICU through his leadership and his skill in the care of sick infants.
In a relationship formed in 2006, the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital provides neonatologists on a full-time basis to provide care in the Genesis NICU. Dr. Zeidan practices full-time at Genesis, but is also an assistant clinical professor at the University of Iowa.
“Dr. Zeidan has become highly respected for his work ethic, his leadership qualities and his team approach to dealing with the issues a medical director of a NICU typically encounters,’’ Segar said. “In his time at Genesis, he has worked to expand the clinical capabilities of the NICU, provide strong continuity of care for patients and has provided leadership and teaching to those involved in the care of neonates.
“An outstanding relationship has been formed between the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and Genesis. We are now able to keep sicker infants in Davenport, closer to home, where in the past babies with the same health issues would have been transported to Iowa City.
“Most importantly, we firmly believe that the relationship has led to the development of improved health care services for sick infants in the Quad Cities area.’’
Dr. Zeidan said one of his goals is to establish Genesis as a regional center for the care of sick babies.
“We think the quality of care in the NICU at Genesis will be recognized at a level with other regional centers. For our level of care, we can be among the best,’’ Dr. Zeidan said. “We have the benefits of having a pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Vickie Pyevich, a pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. John Frederick, and other specialists.’’
In addition to the physical expansion of the Genesis NICU, a medical staff expansion is planned. Dr. Zeidan said that one neonatologist will be added before the end of 2007 and another will be added in 2008.
Dr. Zeidan is a graduate of American University medical school in Beirut, Lebanon. He also completed his residency at American University and completed a United States residency at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
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