PREMIEre Program
The mission of the PREMIEre Program is to ensure that infants at risk of developmental delays due to prematurity, catastrophic illness at birth, or environmental factors are evaluated for growth, neurological, and developmental abnormalities in an intense follow up program with developmental testing, appropriate interventions, and family education.
Goals:
- To have a specialized program for all South Texas babies born prematurely and weighing less than 3.5 lbs at birth available through referral by the primary care physicians.
- To have a parent education program that begins before the infant is discharged home from the nursery. To follow a standardized syllabus that will enable the family to become knowledgeable about their babies developmental needs and interventions that will help them to achieve their maximum potential and to empower families with the information that will enable them to access health care.
- To provide developmental testing appropriate for age and strategize interventions that enhance development.
- To conduct research and educational programs that will further the knowledge of premature infant development, how families access healthcare for their children, and health disparities in those areas.
The program offers extensive developmental assessments in the areas of growth and nutrition, mental and motor development and speech and behavior up to three years of age. The clinic is staffed by a developmental Psychologist, a full time Nurse Coordinator, a nurse case manager and a medical director specialized in Neonatology. Early intervention is planned as needed and the family is connected with appropriate services taking into account transportation and insurance. The assessments also serve as a framework for teaching parents about infant development and their role in guiding the growth of their own baby. The program is open for referral of premature infants (birthweight < 3.5 pounds) throughout San Antonio and South Texas. It was begun in 1979 and serves about 800 patient visits a year with 70-80 new patients added every year. A Premie Reunion is organized every year in October for graduates of the program.
Contact: 210-567-5235
The PREMIEre Program has helped thousands of premature babies with such small beginnings realize their greatest expectations.