St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway breaks ground on new LDRP unit, boosting maternal and infant health services

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, a Far Rockaway branch of Episcopal Health Services (EHS), celebrated a major advancement in maternal and infant health on Friday, May 17, with the groundbreaking of its new Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum (LDRP) unit.

This significant development is part of EHS’ ongoing effort to enhance women’s healthcare services and ensure high-quality care accessibility for all women, focusing on healthcare equity.

Dr. Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Episcopal Health Services Chief Executive Officer reaffirmed EHS’ commitment to providing equitable, high-quality care to women in the Rockaways and surrounding communities.

“For over a decade, we’ve focused on enhancing women’s services,” said Dr. Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer of EHS. “This new LDRP unit is pivotal in our mission to provide accessible, inclusive care to women from all walks of life.”

The state-of-the-art unit will feature six LDRP rooms with private showers, allowing patients to remain in the same room throughout their birthing experience. This design aims to provide a comprehensive, personalized birthing experience for local families, ensuring comfort and support.

Bishop Lawrence C. Provenzano, Episcopal Health Services, Chairman, Board of Trustees, shared the improvements EHS has made to women’s services during his tenure. Photo courtesy of Episcopal Health Services

Furthermore, the facility will include two cesarean operating rooms, two recovery rooms and four triage rooms, all dedicated to delivering high-quality care for high-risk pregnancies. Additional amenities will include a Family Lounge, team member offices, nurses’ stations and a Medication Safety Zone, among others.

“The LDRP unit will integrate family care, linking directly to pediatric services to ensure seamless care transitions for both mother and baby,” said Dr. Jacqueline M. Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at EHS, highlighting the broader impact of the new unit.

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer-Amato announced that her office planned to earmark $500,000 to Episcopal Health Services’ new LDRP unit. Photo courtesy of Episcopal Health Services

The groundbreaking also celebrated the strong support from government officials and private donors, crucial in bringing the project to fruition. Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer-Amato announced an additional $500,000 funding commitment during the ceremony.

“With the pledge of these additional funds from the Assemblywoman, this project is now funded by every level of government,” said Renee Hastick-Motes, SVP and Chief External Affairs Officer at EHS. “This collaborative effort demonstrates a shared commitment to improving maternal and infant health in the Rockaway community.”