News
Obstetrical Services Remain a Priority at AMH
Auburn Memorial Hospital (AMH) has been delivering babies since 1904 – more than 100 years!
Many of our community’s senior citizens began their association with the hospital as babies delivered here.
The second century of obstetrical services at AMH is well underway, with exciting growth in the number of physicians and Nurse Midwives leading directly to a “baby boom” in the Maternity Unit. As many area residents remember, the NYS “Berger Commission” recommended the closing of the unit in 2007. This recommendation had the effect of rallying a remarkable outpouring of community support. Thousands of area residents signed a petition to keep the unit open. According to one of the Maternity nurses, “People kept telling us how important the unit is to our community. Many wrote letters to the State Health Department in our defense.”
Senator Michael Nozzolio and Assemblyman Gary Finch have also been strong advocates for AMH Maternity services. In the wake of the Berger Commission’s recommendation, Nozzolio convened a summit meeting in Albany with AMH executives and officials at the State Department of Health to make the case that closing the obstetrics unit would pose a significant health hazard for residents of Cayuga County.
On January 17, 2008, the hospital was notified that the State Department of Health approved AMH to continue providing maternity services for the women and families of Cayuga County. Making the news even sweeter, AMH was awarded a state grant of $274,000 for the continued operation of the unit.
Scott Berlucchi, President/CEO, has put a strong focus on women’s and maternal health care since he took office in April 16, 2007. Through his efforts, a truly outstanding team of OB/GYN specialists has joined the AMH Medical Staff, joining Dr. William Bock and Dr. Eileen Murphy, who have been part of the staff for many years. New practitioners include:
- Loren Van Riper, M.D., FACOG
- Donald Calzolaio, M.D., FACOG
- John Lovier, M.D., FACOG
- Marge Tracy, Certified Nurse Midwife
- Mary Lou Chappell, Certified Nurse Midwife
- Betty Guisinger, Certified Nurse Midwife
Marge Tracy, CNM, calls AMH “a little jewel,” saying that the hospital “combines really personalized care with high tech clinical excellence.” She adds, “The nursing care at AMH is the best I’ve seen anywhere. It’s important that the same nurse takes care of the Mom and the baby, so it’s not fragmented as it is in some other hospitals.” She gives a great deal of credit to President Berlucchi for his commitment to providing the best possible women’s health care services to the Cayuga County community.
The number of births at AMH has been steadily growing. In 2007, AMH had 270 births; in 2008, there were 331 births, and in 2009 the hospital is on track to have 400 births. The target is 500 births by 2014.
Betsey Kenneally, Nurse Manager of Obstetrics/Gynecology, stated: “I am proud to say that the staff is embracing changes which lead to continually improving the care we offer. They have all successfully passed the AWHONN intermediate fetal monitoring course; advanced fetal monitoring is scheduled for January 2010. We will have a new, state-of-the-art infant abduction system in place by year’s end. And we have had enthusiastic response to the special menu now available for ‘family hours,’ after other visitors leave. It is a quiet time when Mom, Dad and baby can be together and enjoy something special to eat and drink.”
To help women and their families prepare for the birth experience, AMH offers a variety of educational programs, including a Childbirth Education series, a Breastfeeding Class, a Sibling Class, and a Mothers Support Group. Tours of the Maternity Unit are also available. Call 315-255-7381 for information, or visit the AMH website at www.auburnhospital.org. Families that deliver at AMH may attend any of the educational offerings at no charge.
According to John Baran, Chief Financial Officer, who was himself born at AMH, “Our goal is to continue to offer quality obstetrical services, close to home.”
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