Mary Washington Healthcare Announces New Midwifery Program

Fredericksburg, VA, (August 9, 2024) – Mary Washington Healthcare is thrilled to announce the launch of a new comprehensive midwifery program, the first of its size in the region. This innovative program will offer both inpatient and outpatient care, staffed by a dedicated team of seven highly skilled certified nurse midwives. This new midwifery program is designed to provide holistic, patient-centered care for expecting mothers and their families. By integrating both inpatient and outpatient services, the program ensures personalized care from prenatal visits through labor, delivery, and postpartum support.

Patients may choose to have prenatal appointments at one of our convenient Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology practices, located in Stafford or Spotsylvania, and will deliver at Stafford Hospital. Joining the Stafford location are Erin Ford, MSN, CNM; Olivia Kruger, MSN, CNM; Melissa Morton, CNM, WHNP-BC, and Julie Weathers, MSN, CNM. Joining the Spotsylvania location is Lauren Backy, CNM, WHNP-BC; Julie Flanagan, CNM, WHNP-BC; and Megan Pham, MSN, CNM.

"We are incredibly proud to introduce this groundbreaking midwifery program," said Cathy Yablonski, SVP and Chief Ambulatory Operations Officer at Mary Washington Healthcare. "Our commitment to providing exceptional care for mothers and babies is at the heart of this initiative. By bringing together a team of experienced midwives offering both inpatient support at Stafford Hospital and outpatient options at two convenient locations, we are setting a new standard for maternal and newborn health in our region."

The program aims to enhance the birthing experience by offering personalized, low-intervention care plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each family. With the support of the midwifery team, patients will have access to a range of services including prenatal education, labor and delivery support, lactation services, and postpartum care.

"Launching this program is a significant milestone for Mary Washington Healthcare and the community we serve," said Dr. Debra Marinari, AVP, Nursing Operations, Mary Washington Healthcare. "Our certified nurse midwives bring a wealth of knowledge and compassion to their practice, and we are confident that this program will have a profound impact on the health and well-being of mothers and infants in our area."

The midwifery program is part of Mary Washington Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare services and improving patient outcomes. By offering comprehensive midwifery care, the organization aims to empower women with the support and resources they need for a healthy and positive birthing experience.

For more information about the midwifery program or to schedule an appointment with a certified nurse midwife, please visit midwives.mwhc.com or call 540.741.0460.

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About Mary Washington Healthcare

Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated, regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at over 60 facilities including Mary Washington Hospital, a 471-bed tertiary hospital, Stafford Hospital, a 100-bed community hospital, four emergency departments, and a multi-specialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit health system with a longstanding commitment to provide care regardless of ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.