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Episcopal Health Services Unveils $12 Million Labor and Delivery Suite to Expand Access to Maternal Care

Far Rockaway, New York, August 7, 2025 — Nearly 400 community members, elected officials, religious leaders and expectant mothers were in attendance when Episcopal Health Services (EHS) proudly unveiled its new state-of-the-art Labor and Delivery Suite on July 31, marking a significant milestone in expanding access to high-quality maternal care for families across the Rockaways, Five Towns, and beyond.

Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, chair of OB-GYN at EHS (center), cut the ribbon alongside expectant mothers and team members.
Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, chair of OB-GYN at EHS (center), cut the ribbon alongside expectant mothers and team members.
Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS (right) is pictured with NYS Sen. James Sanders, Jr.
Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS (right) is pictured with NYS Sen. James Sanders, Jr.
The Right Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, President and Chairman of the EHS Board of Trustees congratulated Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS, along with the leadership team and staff, on the completion of the Labor and Delivery Suite.
The Right Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, President and Chairman of the EHS Board of Trustees congratulated Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS, along with the leadership team and staff, on the completion of the Labor and Delivery Suite.

This $12 million investment is the culmination of a decade-long effort by EHS to expand access to women’s services and improve maternal health outcomes on the Rockaway Peninsula. The new suite features six spacious rooms with ocean views, advanced technology, two operating rooms and a triage area.

“In the sixteen years that I have been the bishop of this diocese, president of Episcopal Health Services, and chair of the board of trustees of the hospital, the one thing that had to happen was ensuring we would not, in any way, jettison labor and delivery in the Rockaways,” said the Right Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, EHS Board of Trustees, President & Chairman. “So today, for me, is a wonderful celebration and the fulfillment of a dream.”

“Twelve years of commitment, collaboration, and determination have finally led us to this extraordinary moment,” said Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS. “Episcopal Health Services is on a tremendous trajectory to provide high-quality care that is patient-centered because of everyone here today. And for that, I say thank you. Maternity is finally here.”

Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS (ninth from left); the Right Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, President and Chairman of the EHS Board of Trustees (10th from left); and Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at EHS (sixth from right), cut the ribbon alongside members of the EHS Board of Trustees, executive leadership, and elected officials, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards (eighth from left), U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (center), NYS Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato (10th from right), Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz (eighth from right), and NYS Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson (fourth from right).
Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS (ninth from left); the Right Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, President and Chairman of the EHS Board of Trustees (10th from left); and Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at EHS (sixth from right), cut the ribbon alongside members of the EHS Board of Trustees, executive leadership, and elected officials, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards (eighth from left), U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (center), NYS Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato (10th from right), Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz (eighth from right), and NYS Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson (fourth from right).

“This space is a love letter to the community – and it is deep and personal to me,” said Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology at EHS. “I have experienced preeclampsia and postpartum depression, and I empathize with many of the women we serve. This community and the surrounding communities deserve a space as luxurious and supportive as this one.”

Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair of OBGYN at EHS shared how deeply personal the new Labor and Delivery Suite is to her and emphasized how much the community deserves this beautiful space.
Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair of OBGYN at EHS shared how deeply personal the new Labor and Delivery Suite is to her and emphasized how much the community deserves this beautiful space.
Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS, expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported the Labor and Delivery Suite.
Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS, expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported the Labor and Delivery Suite.

Elected officials who helped secure funding for the new Labor and Delivery Suite also provided remarks at the celebration, including U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, New York State Sen. James Sanders Jr., Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, New York State Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato, and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. New York State Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson and Village of Lawrence Mayor Samuel Nahmias were also in attendance to show support.

Once the ribbon cutting program concluded, those in attendance were invited to tour the Labor and Delivery Suite. EHS’s Labor and Delivery Suite is scheduled to officially open on Aug. 18.

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.