HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital receives million dollar donation for NICU project

HSHS St. John’s Foundation received a generous donation of $1,000,000 for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital from retired Springfield anesthesiologist, Dr. Babu Prasad.

Dr. Prasad joined St. John’s in 1986 and worked as an anesthesiologist until his retirement in 2004. He now works part-time at a pain management clinic.

“I came to this country from India in 1971. I had no money, and only arrived with my plane ticket. I want to give back to a country that has given so much to my family and me. Springfield is a beautiful city and a wonderful place to live,” Dr. Babu Prasad said. “I gave this contribution because I want Springfield to continue to grow; to bring new jobs here and to build upon the excellent medical community and medical services that we all enjoy. Children are our future so I wanted to direct my gift to the neonatal intensive care unit to give the babies a healthy start to their lives. By donating this gift to HSHS St. John’s Foundation, I am giving back to a hospital, a community and a country that I dearly love.”

St. John’s is currently expanding and updating the NICU to provide single-family patient rooms for the first time in St. John’s 78-year history of caring for premature and critically-ill infants.

Each year, approximately 2,000 babies are born at St. John’s Children’s Hospital. The St. John’s NICU cares for approximately 700 babies annually from a 35-county area.

“Dr. Prasad’s gift is a beautiful testament as to who he is as a person,” said Beverly Neisler, chief development officer at HSHS St. John’s Foundation. “He is a generous and kind man who has built a successful life through his hard work, dedication and determination. Today, St. John’s, and our most vulnerable patients, are benefitting from his generosity. HSHS St. John’s Foundation is grateful for this wonderful gift and grateful for Dr. Prasad. He means so much to all of us.”