WakeMed Delivers Wake County’s First Women’s Hospital

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 6, 2015) – Wake County’s fifth full-service hospital – and the first and only women’s hospital in the area – will open for patient care on Monday, May 11. WakeMed North Family Health & Women’s Hospital, an expansion of the health system’s existing North Healthplex, will deliver a whole new experience for families in northern Wake County and surrounding communities.

The 248,800-square-foot, 61-bed women’s hospital brings with it new and expanded services including general surgery, urology, gynecology and obstetrical care as well as maternal-fetal medicine, lactation specialists, gestational diabetes education, pediatric audiology screening and outpatient diagnostic mammography. Childbirth facilities include private labor & delivery rooms, a C-section room, a family-centered post-partum unit and a six-bed Level III Special Care Nursery.

“Women of every age will have access to a variety of services, while close to family and close to home,” said Sheri De Shazo, RN, vice president and administrator, WakeMed North. “The campus will continue to serve men and children through our existing emergency department and outpatient surgery, rehabilitation, imaging, lab and physician office services.”

The new hospital combines advanced technology and exceptional providers with a hotel-like, environmentally-friendly design, creating a tranquil space with large, private rooms alongside amenities tailored to women and families. Amenities and specialty offerings will include 24-hour room service dining; in-room massage therapy and eco-friendly spa products; flower service; in-room Wi-Fi and video connections for the family; specialized infant/family photography; as well as a ‘Welcome’ gift bundle and a specialty women’s gift shop.

WakeMed North Family Health & Women’s Hospital will be the health system’s third full-service hospital offering a birthing experience. More than 7,500 babies are born at WakeMed’s hospitals in Raleigh and Cary each year – more than any other hospital system in Wake County.

“Women’s health has always been a top priority for WakeMed,” added Seth Brody, MD, executive medical director for the Women’s Hospital at WakeMed North. “We will continue this tradition at our new hospital, providing an outstanding health care environment that will benefit growing families for years to come.”

The new hospital also ushers in a new model of maternity care – the laborist program. The women’s hospital will staff a specialized group of OB hospitalists, known as laborists, to support patients and assist providers around the clock, ensuring an extra level of quality and safety. Experts in caring for women in labor and delivering babies, these in-house physicians will provide 24/7 inpatient care while working directly with a patient’s primary OB/GYN.

WakeMed North Family Health & Women’s Hospital will continue to offer outpatient care for the entire family including 24/7 emergency services, day surgery, diagnostic and lab services and physical rehabilitation as well as several specialty care and primary care practices.

Additionally, as part of WakeMed’s commitment to the health and well-being of the community, the system always considers the potential environmental impacts and patient benefits of any new construction. With a goal to provide the highest quality of care in the healthiest environment, WakeMed is pursuing LEED® for Healthcare Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a rating system designed specifically for the unique needs of health care facilities and patients.

Brasfield & Gorrie served as general contractor for the expansion project, teaming with Triangle-based design consultants ColeJenest & Stone, Mulkey Engineers & Consultants, BBH Design and Dewberry. Construction began in September 2013. WakeMed first received Certificate of Need (CON) approval in 2009 to expand the existing North Healthplex, located at 10000 Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh, and build WakeMed North Family Health & Women’s Hospital.

WakeMed will host a community open house on Saturday, May 9 from 10am to 2pm to celebrate the new Women’s Hospital at WakeMed North.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed Health & Hospitals is a nationally recognized, private, not-for-profit health care organization founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. The largest health system in Wake County, WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding, compassionate, patient- and family-centered care to all. The 919-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, delivering health and wellness services that bring added value to the communities we serve. WakeMed is a leader in cardiac and vascular care, women’s and children’s services, emergency medicine and trauma care, physical rehabilitation, 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. WakeMed’s team of more than 8,200 employees, 1,500 volunteers, 1,200 affiliated physicians, and the more than 255 physicians employed by WakeMed Physician Practices use the most advanced technologies along with the best minds and the biggest hearts to ensure the finest quality in health care and community health.