Winston Salem Times

Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital has initiated construction on a new pediatric intermediate care unit, named the Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital Tony Stewart Intermediate Care Unit. This development is partly funded by a $2.25 million donation from racecar driver Tony Stewart.

The Charlotte region has seen a 54% increase in pediatric healthcare needs over the past five years. In 2023 alone, 660 children received care at the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The new unit aims to provide specialized care for patients who are no longer critically ill but still require close medical observation and additional support.

The intermediate care unit will serve as a bridge between the PICU and the general unit, ensuring continuity of care while freeing up resources in the PICU for more critical cases. It will feature state-of-the-art equipment and an increased nurse-to-patient ratio to meet patient needs. A study by the Society of Critical Care Medicine indicates that such units can significantly reduce readmission rates.

Saad Ehtisham, senior vice president of Novant Health and president of Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, expressed gratitude towards Tony Stewart for his contribution: “We recognize the immense challenges and share in the uncertainty that comes with having a child in the hospital. The Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital Tony Stewart Intermediate Care Unit will provide our community with a vital resource and allow families to focus on continued recovery.”

Tony Stewart shared his motivation behind supporting this project: “The Charlotte area is where I spent nearly 20 years of my racing career... The health of their child became their No. 1 priority, and as a new dad, that’s a responsibility I carry with tremendous pride."

Other contributors include Speedway Children’s Charities and supporters of the Hemby Golf Classic. This effort is part of ongoing work by the Novant Health Foundation to enhance community health services.

Completion of this six-bed unit is expected in 2026 as part of a broader expansion at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital. Recent expansions include enhancements to both neonatal intensive care capacity and St. Jude Affiliate Clinic facilities.