WakeMed Announces Major Expansion and Renovation of Women’s Pavilion & Birthplace at Raleigh Campus

RALEIGH, N.C. (August 18, 2014) – Each year, more than 7,500 babies are born at WakeMed’s hospitals in Raleigh and Cary – more than any other hospital system in Wake County. Today, WakeMed unveiled plans for a significant remodel and expansion of the Women’s Pavilion & Birthplace at the Raleigh Campus that will benefit growing families for years to come.

The new birthplace, slated to debut in summer 2015, will feature a family-centered environment along with the most advanced technology in maternal care. The facilities are complemented by the expert teams of obstetricians, neonatologists, maternal-fetal specialists, nurses and other professionals. This expansion is a direct reflection of WakeMed's patient- and family-centered approach to care which encourages rooming-in, allowing families to stay together throughout the celebration of new life and making it easier for mothers to have privacy.

The new family-centered design will include:

• 15 spacious Labor and Delivery Suites, ensuring privacy and comfort

• 3 state-of-the-art Surgical Suites for C-section and special needs deliveries

• A new Antepartum High-Risk Unit specifically designed for the complex needs of high-risk pregnancies, featuring 8 private rooms with advanced technology

• 2,400-square-foot expansion

• A comprehensive program of services and staff to protect both mother and child during pregnancy and immediately after birth

“The health and well-being of our birthing mothers and newborns is, and always has been, our top priority,” commented Thad McDonald, MD, medical director of WakeMed Physician Practices – Obstetrics/Gynecology. “New lives begin at WakeMed every day, and this renovated space will help us best support their needs and deliver happy, healthy babies. This expansion is significant for women with high-risk pregnancies. The new antepartum unit will provide expectant mothers experiencing a high-risk pregnancy or delivery with the safest environment and the most specialized care available.”

This expansion further complements WakeMed’s dedication to women’s services across the system as well as our tiniest patients and their families. Earlier this year, we opened our expanded our Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – the only one of its kind in Wake County – and introduced private rooms along with a beautiful new design and state-of-the-art upgrades. The new birthplace will maintain its vital proximity to the NICU, ensuring our most fragile newborns receive immediate special attention and care.

In North Raleigh, WakeMed’s new, 61-bed, full-service women’s hospital – designed with the unique needs of women in mind – will open on Mother’s Day 2015. WakeMed North Hospital will feature amenities tailored to our patients and offer women of every age throughout northern Wake County and the surrounding communities access to a wide variety of exceptional health services.

The projected budget for the total expansion and renovation of the Women’s Pavilion & Birthplace at WakeMed Raleigh Campus is approximately $10.6 million. The WakeMed Foundation has committed to raise $2.5 million through its Labor of Love campaign. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.wakemed.org and select charitable giving.

About WakeMed Foundation

WakeMed Foundation is the charitable resource for WakeMed Health & Hospitals, supporting the health system in its commitment to providing quality healthcare to all citizens of the community. The WakeMed Foundation is dedicated to building support for WakeMed Health & Hospitals through leadership development, fundraising and educational awareness as the health and hospitals system meets the needs for quality health care programs and services for all citizens of the community.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

WakeMed Health & Hospitals is a private, not-for-profit health care organization based in Raleigh, N.C. The 884-bed system comprises a network of health care facilities throughout Wake and Johnston Counties. Centers of excellence include cardiac and vascular care, women’s and children’s services, emergency and trauma, physical rehab and specialization in orthopaedics and neurosciences. Specialty facilities include the WakeMed Heart Center, Children’s Hospital, Women’s Pavilion and Birthplace, Rehabilitation Hospital, Adult and Children’s Emergency Departments and a Level 1 Trauma Center. Locally based and community owned, WakeMed exists for the health of the community and is committed to a variety of health and wellness improvement programs. WakeMed’s team of more than 8,300 employees, 1,500 volunteers, more than 1,200 affiliated physicians, and 255 physicians employed by WakeMed Physician Practices serve the residents of North Carolina using the most advanced technologies to ensure the finest in health care. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org.

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