Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH) has entered into a partnership with Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA for inpatient services, bringing UCLA’s world-class care to the region’s tiniest, most vulnerable patients.

According to Dr. Murugesa Thangavel, chief of pediatrics and medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at AVH, the partnership expands the neonatal and pediatric sub-specialty care available at AVH, including such treatments as total body cooling, a therapy that may prevent or minimize the consequences of brain injury in newborns.

“Babies who are born or diagnosed with a very serious condition can now receive the complex level of care they need, right here in our community,” said Dr. Thangavel. “As neonatal medicine continues to evolve, I am proud to say that the capabilities of our NICU have continued to evolve, too, from two rooms in 1985 to 21 licensed beds today.”

As part of the agreement, ten UCLA board-certified neonatologists are assigned to AVH and at least one is on call at AVH 24 hours a day 7 days a week to provide the highest level of care to babies in the NICU. In addition, three board-certified pediatric hospitalists are available to provide specialized inpatient medical care and emergency room consultations to well newborns as well as sick or injured infants and children.

AVH offers the area’s only NICU and pediatric services. For over 30 years AHV has provided lifesaving, specialized care to babies that required immediate care after birth.

About Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA

Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, one of the highest-rated children’s hospitals in California, is a vital component of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, ranked the third best hospital in the nation and best in the western United States by U.S. News and World Report. Mattel Children’s Hospital offers a full spectrum of primary and specialized medical care for infants, children and adolescents. The hospital’s mission is to provide state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatment for children in a compassionate atmosphere and to improve the understanding and treatment of pediatric diseases.

About Antelope Valley Hospital

Antelope Valley Hospital, a 420-bed district hospital located in the city of Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County, has been serving the community for more than 60 years. The area’s only full-service hospital, AVH provides a full array of medical/surgical services, pediatric treatment, NICU, mental health, cancer care and more. It is a Level II trauma center, Accredited Chest Pain Center and Advanced Primary Stroke Center. More information is available at www.avhospital.org or by calling 661-949-5000. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/antelopevalleyhospital/.