The Birthing Center at Putnam Hospital in Carmel is open.
The newly renovated unit is now welcoming expectant mothers, featuring private labor-and-delivery rooms, private postpartum suites, and an operating room dedicated to cesarean deliveries.
“As Putnam Hospital undergoes a series of exciting changes to expand primary and specialty care, the Birthing Center is key to our growth and in meeting the needs of families close to their homes,” said Putnam Hospital President Dr. Mark Hirko. “Reopening the Birthing Center is just one component of a comprehensive women’s health service plan we have underway.”
There is also a newly renovated nursery staffed by clinicians from New York Children’s Medical Provider Services, P.C., a specialist group associated with Connecticut Children’s, who will provide neonatal and pediatric care to children and families in the area.
“We are committed to making sure every child has access to physicians and specialists who are experts in kids,” said Dr. Anand Sekaran, Nuvance Health System chairperson of pediatrics, Connecticut Children’s Division head of pediatric hospital medicine and medical director of inpatient services.
“New York Children’s clinicians understand that children have different needs than adults,” continued Sekaran. “Kids require a very different kind of care with equipment that is designed just for them. Patient families will immediately recognize the improvements and feel the difference in their experience when they are here.”
Following the temporary suspension of delivery services in March last year, Putnam Hospital leadership has been securing a team of specialists to provide individualized, family-centered care to ensure the growth and success of maternal health in the region.
“This is a great location for patients since it provides families the benefit of being at a small, family-centered facility associated with higher-level-care hospitals,” said Nuvance Health obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Elizabeth Lucal, who began seeing patients at Putnam Hospital in December. “If those advanced levels of care are needed, they are available. The ease of knowing your appointments are in the same building you will deliver in can be very helpful and limit the stressors related to pregnancy.”
Along with Lucal, at least two OB-GYNs will join the team later this year, and recruitment for midwives is ongoing.
In addition to the New York Children’s Medical Provider Services’ neonatal and pediatric care, the Ob Hospitalist Group has clinicians onsite for 24/7 coverage of women in labor. Also, Dr. Linus Chuang, a Nuvance Health gynecologic oncologist, began seeing patients earlier this month at Putnam Hospital, expanding access to advanced care options for women with gynecologic cancer.
Last fall, state grant monies and community donations totaling $1 million helped fund the reconstruction effort. This included a $500,000 state grant secured by State Sen. Pete Harckham, $250,000 from the Kearney Realty and Development Group and $250,000 from the Putnam Community Foundation.
The 12,000-square-foot Birthing Center features seven patient rooms, two on-call suites, an operating room, scrub room, nurse station, waiting area, well baby nursery, conference room, staff lounge and medication room. All rooms are private and the unit is equipped with advanced newborn safety and security systems.
“We are so grateful for the community’s support in helping to bring back a vital service in Putnam County,” said Hirko. “We are so proud to welcome families to our hospital again to continue receiving the excellent maternity care we are known for.”
To learn more about the Birthing Center at Putnam Hospital, visit www.nuvancehealth.org/services-and-treatments/womens-health/maternity-services/maternity-at-putnam-hospital.
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