St. Francis Medical Center Opens New Obstetrical Emergency Department
October 24, 2023
St. Francis Medical Center is proud to announce the opening of its Obstetrical Emergency Department (OB ED), a groundbreaking addition to its comprehensive healthcare services. As the first of its kind in the region, the St. Francis Medical Center OB ED represents an unwavering commitment to pioneering healthcare solutions and enhancing maternal care for Northeast Louisiana.
"The opening of our Obstetrical Emergency Department marks a significant milestone in our ongoing dedication to maternal care,” said Thomas Gullatt, MD, President of St. Francis Health. “We are steadfast in our promise to provide the best possible care to mothers and infants, ensuring the health and happiness of our community's growing families."
The OB ED at St. Francis Medical Center stands as a beacon of specialized care for the nearly 2,200 expecting mothers who choose the hospital for their deliveries each year. Recognizing that pregnancies and childbirth can be unpredictable, St. Francis Medical Center is dedicated to providing immediate and expert care to our patients whenever they may need it.
“The birth of a new baby is a major event for any family. We understand that the uncertainty of childbirth can be stressful for expectant mothers,” said Kayla Johnson, Chief Nursing Officer at St. Francis Medical Center. “Our Emergency Obstetrics Department serves as a safety measure, ensuring that expert and prompt care is constantly accessible, giving reassurance.”
The St. Francis Medical Center OB ED is equipped with OB/GYN providers available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Conveniently located near the hospital’s Labor and Delivery Unit, this dedicated space is designed to provide care for women 20+ weeks pregnant with obstetrical concerns, as well as delivery-related health issues for moms up to six weeks postpartum. This comprehensive approach ensures timely and expert care for women during critical periods of pregnancy and beyond.
“With the latest technology and highly trained staff, we can now focus solely on the needs of these women and their unborn babies,” said Christa Lewis, Director of Women's and Children’s Services at St. Francis Medical Center. “This new department is a wonderful addition to our hospital and will make a tremendous difference in the lives of our patients."
St. Francis Medical Center is proud to also provide this region’s only Level III OB Unit, Level III NICU, and Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic. St. Francis Medical Center’s commitment to excellence in obstetrics, neonatal care, and maternal medicine sets a new standard for healthcare in the region, making it the go-to destination for comprehensive women and children’s services.
For more information about the St. Francis Medical Center Obstetrical Emergency Department, visit stfran.com/ob-ed.
About St. Francis Health
St. Francis Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Monroe, Louisiana, with more than 1,800 team members committed to caring for those we serve. With a 328-bed medical center, acute-care hospital, freestanding outpatient center, over 20 outpatient clinics and nearly 350 physician partners, for more than 100 years, St. Francis has provided comprehensive healthcare services for a variety of medical and surgical specialties. St. Francis offers Northeast Louisiana’s only Level 3 NICU, Level 3 OB and Level 2 PICU services. St. Francis Medical Center leads the region in heart and vascular services, critical care, and complex and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The hospital offers a designated Level 3 Trauma Program, Graduate Medical Education Program, Accredited Chest Pain Center, and Centers of Excellence in the areas of obstetrics, bariatric surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive gynecology, and breast health. St. Francis is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit stfran.com.