$7M Center For High-Risk, Complicated Pregnancies Opens On LI

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — A $7 million, state-of-the-art facility devoted to caring for high-risk and complicated pregnancies is now open in New Hyde Park.

Northwell Health — the largest healthcare provider in New York — announced the opening of its Center for High-Risk Pregnancy and Fetal Health on Monday.

The 12,400-square-foot facility is located at 1111 Marcus Ave. and is a combined effort of Northwell Health and Cohen Children's Medical Center, according to a press release. It features a team of double board certified Maternal-Fetal Medicine experts with specialized knowledge in diagnostic ultrasound and the obstetrical, medical, and surgical complications of pregnancies.

In total, the center has 14 exam/ultrasound rooms and offers an array of comprehensive care for high-risk pregnancies, as well as specialized programs in diabetes in pregnancy, cancer in pregnancy, CardioObstetrics, and pregnancy loss. Procedures such as amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, cordocentesis, genetic counseling, and first-trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities are also available.

Speaking to a gathering of clinicians and staff members at the opening, Northwell President and CEO Michael Dowling said: "Northwell has set the stage for innovation by creating a special program with doctors, nurses, and teams of health care professionals dedicated to women, safe deliveries and healthy babies. It took us several years to get here, but this center teaches us to dream what is possible and to think ahead."

A pregnancy may be considered high-risk because of pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus, or heart disease — or when a woman has had problems with prior pregnancies. It may also be considered high-risk due to issues discovered in the fetus.

"This unique center devoted to caring for pregnant moms and their unborn children from throughout the community is focused on collaboration and providing our patients with access to an outstanding team of maternal medicine specialists, adult medical specialists, geneticists, and pediatric subspecialists all within one beautiful facility," said Dr. Michael Nimaroff, senior vice president and executive director of obstetrics/gynecology at Northwell. "Our teams at the center ensure that our moms and their pregnancies receive the highest level of care possible."

Under the leadership of Dr. Burton Rochelson, chief maternal-fetal medicine, the center is dedicated to serving as a "one-stop shop" for the delivery of prenatal care to women in the community, according to Northwell. The location also once served as the original site of the United Nations, which Rochelson says is fitting given that his staff hails from 37 countries.

"Here we are — a team of doctors and nurses and sonographers and genetic counselors and diabetic educators and patient navigators and administrators and front staff," Rochelson said. "Nearly 130 people all working towards one goal — a healthy mother and baby — with the absolute best care for women and their babies, no matter how complex, under one roof, at one time."