Birth Center gets a major facelift

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Birth Center Manager Jean Meier (center) and Westfields Hospital President and CEO Steven Massey (right) get some help from the stork as they cut the ribbon marking the official opening of the newly renovated and upgraded Birth Center.

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New babies and their moms will enjoy a better birthing experience, thanks to the opening of a newly updated Birth Center at Westfields Hospital in New Richmond.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting took place Oct. 3, with staff members, New Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and others in attendance.

The Birth Center was renovated with new hardwood flooring, wall treatments, soft lighting and soothing décor. The nursery has also had some updates to create a peaceful space.

One of the biggest upgrades is a complete rebuild of the private bathroom in the main labor and delivery room and significant upgrades in other private bathrooms in the Birth Center.

Steven Massey, Westfields president and chief executive director, told the crowd that the local facility has some of the best birthing center staff members around and now the facilities will match the high quality of care patients and babies receive.

“We wanted to elevate the physical look of the department,” he said of the project. “We were really excited to put money into the department. It’s been a real exciting time.”

Last year, Westfields delivered more than 120 babies, Massey reported.

He said the local hospital hopes that even more expectant mothers will choose to have their babies locally rather than traveling into the Twin Cities.

Jean Meier, Birth Center manager, said the upgraded facilities will provide a beautiful and comfortable place for mothers and family members.

“We are both very excited and very proud to share our new OB unit with the community,” she said.

With that, a ribbon cutting was conducted. Tours and refreshments were served for several hours that evening.

Westfields Hospital, located at 535 Hospital Road in New Richmond, is a full-service hospital offering emergency services, specialty clinics, and maternity services, as well as medical and surgical inpatient and outpatient care. Westfields Hospital is part of the HealthPartners family of care.

Tags: new richmond, business, health