Groundbreaking Marks Significant Milestone for Women’s Services at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital

Far Rockaway, New York, May 21, 2024 — St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, part of Episcopal Health Services (EHS), held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum (LDRP) unit on Friday, May 17. This event highlighted the health system’s ongoing commitment to improving maternal and infant care, and recognized the unwavering support received from various levels of government and private donors in making this new unit a reality.

“For over a decade, we’ve been intensely-focused on enhancing women’s services,” said Dr. Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer, EHS. “At Episcopal Health Services, we’re dedicated to promoting healthcare equity and ensuring all women have access to high-quality care, regardless of their background, circumstances or ability to pay. This new LDRP unit will play a vital role in this mission by providing accessible, inclusive care to women from all walks of life.”

The new state-of-the-art unit will feature six Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum rooms, each with a private shower, allowing patients to stay in one room throughout their entire hospital experience. This enhancement ensures local families have access to comprehensive, personalized birthing experiences close to home, fostering a sense of security and support during this precious journey.

The unit will also include two advanced cesarean operating rooms, two recovery rooms, and four triage rooms, ensuring high-quality care for high-risk pregnancies and specialized services for mothers and babies. A Family Lounge with a pantry and public restroom will be adjacent to the reception area to enhance family comfort. Additionally, the facility includes team member offices, nurses’ stations, on-call rooms, lounges for physicians and team members, a locker room, and a Medication Safety Zone.

“With this investment in our new LDRP unit, EHS is demonstrating its commitment to the health and well-being of mothers and babies in our community, ensuring they have access to the highest quality care and support during this precious time in their lives,” said Dr. Jacqueline M. Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chairperson, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, EHS. “Moreover, the LDRP unit will bring family care together, serving as a conduit to pediatric services, ensuring seamless care transitions for both mother and baby.” In addition to marking a significant milestone in EHS’ commitment to women in the Rockaways and surrounding communities, the groundbreaking ceremony celebrated the strong backing from government officials and private donors.

During the event Assemblywoman Stacy Pheffer-Amato announced that she would be designating $500,000 for the LDRP unit. “With the pledge of these additional funds from the Assemblywoman, this project is now funded by every level of government. This collaborative effort demonstrates a shared commitment to improving maternal and infant health in the Rockaway community” said Renee Hastick-Motes, SVP & Chief External Affairs Officer, EHS.