Putnam Hospital Reopens Birthing Center

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — The maternity center at Putnam Hospital has reopened, newly renovated.

The hospital suspended delivery services in March 2022, after CareMount, which was the sole physician provider of deliveries, gave Nuvance Health 45 days notice that they would end their OB services March 1. Community members and staffers talked about their concerns at a public forum a year ago. SEE: Online Forum On Suspension Of Baby Deliveries At Putnam Hospital

Putnam Hospital leaders said at the time that they would work hard to secure a replacement team of specialists — and now they have one OB-GYN plus two others on the way and are trying to recruit midwives.

"Reopening the Birthing Center is just one component of a comprehensive women’s health service plan we have underway," Putnam Hospital President Dr. Mark Hirko in the announcement. "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."

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 nationally recognized neonatal and pediatric care to children and families in the area, hospital officials said.

"We are committed to making sure every child has access to physicians and specialists who are experts in kids," said Anand Sekaran, MD, Nuvance Health System Chair of Pediatrics and 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. 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."

The Birthing Center is now welcoming expectant mothers, featuring private labor-and-delivery rooms, private postpartum suites and an operating room dedicated to cesarean deliveries.

"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. If those advanced levels of care are needed, they are available," said Nuvance Health Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OB-GYN) Dr. Elizabeth Lucal, who began seeing patients at Putnam Hospital in December. “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 Dr. 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 (OBHG) 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 generous community donations totaling $1 million helped fund the reconstruction effort. They included a $500,000 state grant secured by New York State Sen. Peter Harckham, $250,000 from the Kearney Realty and Development Group and $250,000 from the Putnam Community Foundation.

"Putnam Hospital is the only hospital in Putnam County, and it is so important to our community," Ken Kearney said at the time. "The renovation of the Birthing Center is a first step toward a new future for Putnam Hospital — and an impactful one. Throughout people’s lives, they will be asked, 'Where were you born?' and I want members of our community to be able to say they were born in Putnam County."

According to New York State's health database, the number of deliveries at the hospital declined between 2008, when 453 babies were delivered, and 2019, when 387 babies were delivered.

The 12,000-square-foot Birthing Center features seven patient rooms, two on-call suites, 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," Dr. Hirko said. "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, click here.