Christus Health’s Good Shepherd Medical Center Gets NICU Reappointment

Having worked across Texas in different roles, including in Irving and Dallas, Paul Generale has served as Christus Health’s executive vice president since 2015. At the organization, Paul Generale has seen its centers receiving several reclassifications, such as with the Good Shepherd Medical Center - Longview’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The Texas Department of State Health Services officially re-classified the unit as a Level III NICU, which recognizes the center’s commitment to best practices and maintaining high standards. Dr. Christopher Ihionkhan, the NICU’s medical director, noted that he was proud of the services he and his colleagues provide.

Speaking about its quality of care, he added that the Good Shepherd Medical Center was able to offer a level of care often only seen in large metropolitan areas. The center’s services include a neonatal nurse practitioner that’s available in-house to patients 24/7 and a specialized NICU Transport Team.

The classification system was introduced by the Texas legislature in 2015, and mandates minimum safety and quality requirements for any medical centers that offer child care or delivery services.