(Paducah, Ky.) Feb. 14, 2017 - It's moving day for five babies and their families into the spacious new John and Loree Eckstein NICU at Baptist Health following the grand opening Monday.

"James 1:17 reminds us, 'Every good and perfect gift is from above,' so our hearts are full of gratitude to God for the many gifts represented here," hospital president William A. Brown told a crowd of more than 600 at the grand opening, "with a beautiful new facility, scores of dedicated caregivers and hundreds of families we have been blessed to serve."

Before babies moved in today, visitors toured the new $3.2 million neonatal intensive care unit, three times larger than the original unit, following the dedication ceremony.

Lead gift donor John Eckstein said his family chose to donate after touring the former space and new unit. "I am amazed at the level of care that Baptist Health can provide for these babies and am excited to know how many more families can now receive these services, allowing their families to stay close to home," he said.

More than 1,000 families have benefited from the local service, which started in 2011 with six licensed beds and is now licensed for 14. "We can care for more babies now and provide more privacy and bonding space for their families," said neonatologist Ed O'Neill, MD.

Mother & Baby Care, including the NICU, is one of four hospital service areas to benefit from a comprehensive capital campaign announced last month by Baptist Health Foundation Paducah; other areas are cancer, heart and outreach. The campaign has raised $7.6 million toward a $10 million goal. To contribute or get more information, phone 270.575.2871 or see SupportBaptistHealth.org/Paducah.