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Far Rockaway Parents Welcome First Baby in Episcopal Health Services’ New Labor and Delivery Suite

Far Rockaway, New York, August 27, 2025 — Episcopal Health Services (EHS) is proud to announce the birth of the first baby in its new state-of-the-art Labor and Delivery Suite at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. On Aug. 20, at 10:32 a.m., Joannie Farris of Far Rockaway – who was also born at St. John’s – welcomed her daughter, Stella, with father Robert Leandry by her side. Stella weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz. and measured 21.6 inches long.

First-time parents Joannie Farris (center) and dad Robert Leandry (second, left) are pictured with their daughter Stella. Also pictured (from left): Edison Bond, Jr., MPH, MDiv, DMin, CPXP, Chief Patient Experience Officer, Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair of OBGYN, Sonnett Green, RN, Sandra Prendergast, RN, and Sufiya Abdin, Certified Surgical Technician at EHS.
First-time parents Joannie Farris (center) and dad Robert Leandry (second, left) are pictured with their daughter Stella. Also pictured (from left): Edison Bond, Jr., MPH, MDiv, DMin, CPXP, Chief Patient Experience Officer, Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair of OBGYN, Sonnett Green, RN, Sandra Prendergast, RN, and Sufiya Abdin, Certified Surgical Technician at EHS.

“I was very nervous going through this process, especially being induced as a first-time mother,” said Farris. “But the experience was absolutely beautiful. Everyone who came in to check on me or take my vitals was so supportive, even when I was in pain. Now that I have my baby in my arms, it’s an incredible feeling, and I’m so grateful for the care I received.”

During labor, Farris recalled how the nursing team sang gospel music with her, creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere.

“I know the nurses were just doing their job, but it felt like a real family bringing new life into the world,” she added.

EHS’ Labor and Delivery Suite officially opened on Aug. 18, underscoring the health system’s commitment to expanding high-quality, patient-centered maternal care on the Rockaway Peninsula.

“This suite demonstrates our dedication to the health and well-being of our community and our ongoing focus on advancing maternal care,” said Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS. “We are proud to offer families a space that combines clinical excellence with a warm, welcoming environment.”

“Bringing the Labor and Delivery Suite to life is a dream realized for everyone at EHS, and most importantly for the mothers we serve,” said Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair of OBGYN at EHS. “It is incredibly rewarding to provide moms with a beautiful, modern setting where they can receive the high-quality care they deserve.”

Far Rockaway residents Joannie Farris and Robert Leandry welcomed their daughter Stella, in EHS’s new Labor and Delivery Suite on Aug. 20.
Far Rockaway residents Joannie Farris and Robert Leandry welcomed their daughter Stella, in EHS’s new Labor and Delivery Suite on Aug. 20.

As part of the celebration, Farris and Leandry received diapers, wipes, toys and clothes from the St. John’s ICARE Foundation. To learn more about EHS’s new Labor and Delivery Suite or to schedule a tour, call (718) 869-5815 or email birth@ehs.org.

About Episcopal Health Services

Episcopal Health Services Inc., (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. The system provides emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved Rockaways and Five Towns populations. The system provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic treatment, and rehabilitative services, regardless of their ability to pay.