University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center to Discontinue Labor and Delivery Services August 8
Joe Lyons •
July 13, 2023
Hospital will continue to offer other comprehensive women’s services for patients
ASHLAND, Ohio–University Hospitals (UH) Samaritan Medical Center has made the difficult decision to discontinue labor and delivery services next month. The last expectant patient will be accepted Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 and these services will be discontinued Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.
“Our UH Samaritan labor and delivery care team is dedicated to this community, and we are very proud of the outstanding care they have provided to our patients and families,” said Sylvia Radziszewski, RRT, MBA, Chief Operating Officer, UH Samaritan Medical Center. “Hospitals across the country are experiencing a trend of declining birth rates. This, along with staffing shortages, have resulted in having to make this difficult decision. We appreciate the sense of loss the community may experience. We look forward to continuing to provide high-quality care and patient experiences through a variety of other comprehensive women’s services.”
Providing birthing services to patients requires 24/7 coverage from OB/GYN and pediatric physicians to ensure appropriate support for mom and baby during routine and unexpected labor and delivery events, such as emergency cesarean sections. Due to a variety of factors, UH Samaritan has been unable to fill enough staffing positions at Samaritan to continue to offer labor and delivery services.
The only existing service that would not occur on campus is delivering babies. UH Samaritan will continue to offer comprehensive women’s and children’s services, including OB/GYN physician and midwife care, GYN surgical services, and breastfeeding and lactation services.
“Our top priorities are ensuring the highest quality birth experience for our patients and families, and maintaining employment for our dedicated and talented labor and delivery staff,” said Patti DePompei, RN, MSN, President, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s and UH MacDonald Women’s hospitals and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation Chair in Leadership and Innovation.
UH Samaritan physicians, midwives, nurses and other caregivers will be coordinating with patients directly on their care transition plans at OhioHealth and other nearby hospitals. Impacted caregivers will have the option to find other opportunities, either within the UH system, with OhioHealth, or outside of UH, depending on their preference.