Abrazo Arrowhead in Glendale celebrated a construction milestone for its neonatal unit expansion project with a recent beam signing by nurses and hospital staff.

Steel beams framing the expansion are now visible for the 8,500 square foot addition to the hospital’s specialty unit for preterm infant care.

Abrazo Arrowhead’s existing Level IIIA perinatal care center continues to be open for patient care during construction. The $14 million project is expected to be completed later this year.

Abrazo Arrowhead is located at 18701 N. 67th Ave.

The addition will increase the unit’s size from 21 to 35 beds, and support enhanced capabilities to pursue certification as a higher Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for more complex maternal and neonatal medical conditions, obstetric and fetal complications.

More than 3,000 babies, including high order multiple births like triplets, are born every year at Abrazo Arrowhead.

Successful pursuit of the Level IIIB NICU certification means the hospital will be capable of providing complex care for babies of any gestational age, Abrazo Arrowhead Campus Chief Nursing Officer Julie Bowman explained in a news release.

Abrazo Arrowhead Campus is currently certified to care for premature infants as young as 28 weeks gestation.