Surgeon’s gift in honor of neonatologist benefits neonatal intensive care

UHS recently honored two of our community’s most outstanding physicians. Both have contributed in exceptional ways to our hospitals, our healthcare system and our region, and have had a tremendous positive impact on the lives of thousands of individuals and families.

Retired neurosurgeon Saeed Bajwa, MD, stepped forward with a generous donation to the UHS Foundation in honor of Rajesh Davé, MD, a pioneer in bringing newborn intensive care to the Southern Tier. The donation will benefit the work of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UHS Wilson Medical Center. An engraved plaque recognizing Dr. Davé was dedicated on the NICU on Sept. 5, and will be permanently displayed on the unit. The plaque lauds Dr. Davé for his “outstanding service and exceptional commitment” to the NICU.

“When Dr. Rajesh Davé arrived in the Southern Tier 44 years ago, he did so with a vision quickly embraced by UHS, to champion exceptional, compassionate care for babies, as well as their parents and extended families,” said John Carrigg, president and chief executive officer of UHS, on unveiling the plaque. “Under his leadership, UHS established the region’s first and only NICU.”

Continuing, Mr. Carrigg said to Dr. Davé: “The dedication you have shown to our tiniest and most vulnerable patients, the commitment you have demonstrated as our executive vice president for Clinical Integration and chief medical officer, and the heart, soul and passion you bring to medicine and medical leadership, will always be remembered and treasured at UHS. It is fitting that, going forward, your name should be honored on this very special unit that is such an important part of your life and legacy.”

Dr. Davé has had a distinguished career as a pioneering neonatologist in the Southern Tier region. In addition, he has collaborated with community groups to establish an infant mortality task force, played a key executive role in the development of the UHS healthcare system and helped train new generations of physicians as dean of the Clinical Campus at Binghamton of the State University of New York’s Upstate Medical University. Currently he serves as UHS’ executive vice president for Clinical Integration and chief medical officer.

Dr. Bajwa is widely regarded as one of the top neurosurgeons in the Southern Tier, a physician whose name is synonymous with UHS’ pursuit of the highest use of knowledge, caring and expertise to advance a signature clinical service.

In comments addressed to Dr. Bajwa, Mr. Carrigg noted: “To you, Dr. Bajwa, we recognize your courage and determination, and express to you our most sincere appreciation for your very generous donation to the UHS Foundation--in honor of Dr. Davé’s vision, and in support of neonatal intensive care today and for years to come. You have a special place in our hearts, both for your contributions to surgical excellence and for the generosity you have shown with this important gift. We pledge that the donation will be used with great stewardship to further the NICU’s lifesaving mission.”

At the dedication ceremony on Sept. 5, Dr. Bajwa’s daughter, Nida, and son, UHS radiologist Zafar Bajwa, MD, each of whom has had a child who was a patient in the NICU, praised the work of Dr. Davé and his team in providing a lifeline for premature and ill newborns and their families in the Southern Tier.

Established at UHS more than 30 years ago, the NICU cares for as many as 300 newborns a year. Sophisticated equipment, advanced technology and highly trained, knowledgeable and compassionate staff have helped thousands of infants and their parents over the years.

Treating premature infants, low-birth-weight babies and those born with medical complications requiring special monitoring and care, the UHS NICU is the region’s only New York State Department of Health-designated Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is staffed 24 hours a day with registered nurses, neonatologists, and neonatal advanced practice providers, offering critical care for the newborns and a supportive environment for parents. This lifesaving service at UHS Wilson has the people and technology to provide the highest level of care for even the tiniest of new arrivals.