St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is preparing to open a new state-of-the-art Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum (LDRP) unit this summer, a major step toward improving maternal health services for families across the Rockaway Peninsula, the Five Towns, and surrounding communities.
Part of Episcopal Health Services (EHS), the Far Rockaway hospital’s new unit will allow patients to remain in the same private suite throughout labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery—a modern approach that enhances comfort, bonding, and the continuity of care. The facility will include six fully equipped LDRP suites, cesarean operating rooms, and dedicated recovery and triage spaces.
“For over a decade, we’ve been focused on enhancing and expanding access to women’s health services across the Rockaways,” said Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer of EHS. “When we conducted our Community Health Needs Assessment residents expressed a clear need for an improved labor and delivery infrastructure. We heard that call and incorporated it into our strategic plan. This new LDRP unit is a result of a community-driven vision and has been made possible thanks to the unwavering support of every level of government and generous private donors. It represents our ongoing commitment to equitable, high-quality care for all.”
The opening of the new LDRP unit comes as part of a broader effort by EHS to modernize its facilities and meet the growing healthcare needs of the diverse communities it serves in southern Queens and western Nassau County. St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is the only hospital located on the Rockaway Peninsula and serves a population with historically limited access to healthcare.
“This is more than just a new unit, it’s a reflection of how deeply we value the women and families who entrust us with their care,” said Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at EHS. “We are deeply committed to giving every patient a safe, dignified, and supportive birthing experience.”
Each suite in the new LDRP unit will feature amenities designed to provide a comfortable and supportive environment for both mother and baby. Rooming-in will be standard, with sleeper couches available for family members, and advanced neonatal care equipment integrated into every space.
“This LDRP unit brings best-in-class, person-centered care to the communities we serve,” said Karen Paige, MBA, RN, CPHQ, CPPS, CPXP, OCN, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at EHS. “At EHS, we are deeply committed to modernizing our facilities, with dignity, compassion, and the patient experience at the forefront. The LDRP embodies that commitment.”
In the interim, while construction is underway, the hospital has completed renovations on its existing Labor and Delivery unit on Tower 7 to improve patient privacy and comfort.
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital has continued to serve as a vital healthcare resource in Far Rockaway and neighboring communities since its founding in 1905. The opening of the LDRP unit builds on the hospital’s legacy of addressing healthcare disparities and delivering care where it’s needed most.
