Over 1,100 friends of Silver Cross Hospital attended the Silver Cross Illumination Gala on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012.  As guests arrived for this event of a lifetime they were treated to an amazing new type of  light show with video mapping on the hospital that was seen from the interstate highway. The Illumination Gala was an unforgettable evening of dining, dancing, music and entertainment, all in celebration of the historic opening of the new Silver Cross Hospital at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox.

PHOTO SCRAPBOOK

“Guests were able to get a behind the scenes look at this valuable community resource as we celebrated the broad spectrum of opportunities that makes Silver Cross a beacon of pride in Will County,” said Jim Roolf, Chairman of the Silver Cross Hospital Board of Directors. 

The Illumination Gala opened with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. The Gala Program began with a warm welcome from Michele Vana, Member, Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors and Childerguild Gala Co-Chair.

Then Paul Pawlak, President and CEO, Silver Cross Hospital, thanked many groups of people that supported building this wonderful place of healing and he closed by saying “The people I am proudest of and want to thank the most are my Silver Cross family, our employees, volunteers and benefactors. They have worked throughout this journey on not one but two major efforts, first the continuation of 100 Top award winning care on our Joliet campus and secondly the planning, organizing and implementing the countless details to ready this campus.”

Others who spoke were James M. Roolf, Chairman, Silver Cross Hospital Board of Directors and Gala Co-Chairman; Alexander Sosenko, M.D., Chief of Staff, Silver Cross Hospital; who said “Special thanks goes to my fellow physicians for the countless hours of service they provided as members of planning groups involved in the execution of this complex project. Your efforts in helping design the hospital and enable patient-family centered care will ensure quality outcomes, in a safe environment for generations to come.”

Next to speak was Robert Rogina, Chairman, Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors and Gala Co-Chairman; and the Honorable Tim Baldermann, Mayor, Village of New Lenox. Recognized for their efforts in assisting with the celebration were Honorary Gala Co-Chairmen  Daniel Gutierrez, M.D.; Russ Slinkard; and James Stephenson; and Honorary Spokesperson Tom Thayer. After, Reverend Kay Collins, Chaplain, Silver Cross Hospital, led the Blessing. Finally, the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was performed as hundreds of onlookers from the community watched as a new era in healthcare commenced. Then guests were treated to an extensive tour of the state-of-the-art hospital. The spectacular event was filled with an amazing array of food, beverages and desserts as well dancing to jazz, classical, and contemporary music throughout the Hospital.

“From dramatic lighting setting the stage for memorable magical moments to the unique opportunity to view our new hospital up close, guests experienced illumination in all its many forms,” said Michele Vana, Illumination Gala Co- Chair. 

The momentous occasion was hosted by Silver Cross Hospital and Childerguild and was chaired by three of its members—Michele Vana, Susan Frangella, and Kim Brooks. For decades the Childerguild organization has donated over $2.3 million that has funded various maternal/child care projects at Silver Cross Hospital. Further, others chairing the Gala were Silver Cross Hospital’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jim Roolf, and Foundation Board Chairman, Bob Rogina.  Honorary Gala Co-Chairs included Daniel Gutierrez, M.D., Russ Slinkard, and James Stephenson.

Those who attended were among the first to see the state-of-the-art 289-bed hospital before it becomes home to patients, doctors, nurses, staff and families on Feb. 26, 2012.  Opening at  7 a.m., the remarkable facility will improve quality, safety and service within an environment designed for faster healing. Enhanced partnerships with Children’s Memorial Hospital, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and University of Chicago Medical Center will also bring exciting new services to improve the health of Will County patients.

“We were honored to welcome so many community members to our Gala and we were excited to have them be a part of the unveiling of the magnificent new Silver Cross Hospital as we light the way to a brighter future in healthcare,” adds Bob Rogina.

For more information on how you can support this new state-of-the-art facility, call the Silver Cross Foundation at (815) 300-7105.

Ann Carpenter, Director of Patient Safety, prepares an infant “patient” to move to the Replacement Hospital during the Mock Move on January 15.

Before the walls of the new hospital were even enclosed, Silver Cross leadership was busy planning for a safe and efficient patient move to the new campus.   Over the  past several months staff  has been moving in equipment and becoming orientated to the new facility so that everyone is ready to provide 100 Top Care when the new Silver Cross Hospital  officially opens on Sunday, Feb. 26.  Beginning at 7 a.m., all patients will be moved in one day by ambulance along Route 6 from the Joliet to the New Lenox campus at I-355 and Route 6.
 
“Our top priority is to make sure that the quality of patient care and safety is maintained at the highest level throughout the move process,” says Mary Bakken, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Silver Cross.    

To help ensure a smooth transition, Silver Cross has been working closely over the past 18 months with FDI, the leading healthcare occupancy/ transition planning firm in the United States.  FDI has planned the successful moves of more than 100 hospitals and thousands of patients over the past 25 years.  Members of the Silver Cross relocation team have been studying other hospital moves including Sherman and Elmhurst Hospitals.  The Silver Cross team even observed first-hand the relocation of patients from one facility to another at St. Elizabeth Health System in LaFayette, IN.   

“We’ve covered all aspects of the move,” said Peggy Gricus, Vice President of Patient Care at Silver Cross.  “We’ve held drills with mock patients replicating just about every possible scenario that could happen during transport such as cardiac arrest, birth of a baby, and an accident along the route.  We are very fortunate to be working with Kurtz Ambulance Service that moves more than 100 patients every day.  Not only are they lending us their expertise but the service of 15 fully-staffed ambulances for move day.”   

So who goes first?
Patients on the 4th Floor, Intensive Care and Behavioral Health Units will be the first to experience the new Silver Cross Hospital.  Both a packing team and a moving team will be assigned to each patient.  Every patient will have a nurse, paramedic, and emergency medical technician (EMT) with them every step of the way.  Patients who require a higher level of care may also have a respiratory therapist, critical care nurse or doctor in the ambulance as well.  Mothers and babies will be transported together, and parents can ride with pediatric patients.  Everyone involved in the move has received special training.   

“Each and every patient will be moved safely,” says Gricus.  “We will take particular care to protect patient’s privacy and ensure that the transition is handled with dignity and respect.  And patients’ families will be included in the move plan.”   

Once patients have settled into their room at the New Lenox hospital, friends and family members will be encouraged to visit.  During move day, a Family Lounge will be available at the new facility and staff will be available to communicate with families waiting for their loved ones.   

Patients seeking emergency care after 7 a.m. on Feb. 26 should go to the New Lenox campus. In the event that a patient arrives in the Joliet Emergency Department before 7 a.m., the patient will receive a medical screening and be treated, discharged or transferred to the New Lenox Emergency Department or treated and admitted to the new hospital.  Silver Cross’s Free-Standing Emergency Care Center at 143rd and Bell Rd. in Homer Glen will also be open all day to care for all patients regardless of illness or injury.    

“A host of support services for inpatients and emergency patients will be available on move day, including MRI, CT and other imaging capabilities,” said Dr. Alexander Sosenko, Silver Cross Hospital Chief of Staff.  “If emergency treatment is needed, there will be operating rooms ready at the new hospital.”   

All outpatient services will begin on Feb. 27 on the New Lenox campus. To schedule an appointment, call Silver Cross Guest Services at (815) 300-7076.  Or request an appointment online.   

Short Trip Down Route 6
Every step of the move route is carefully planned—from which elevators to use to which road to take.  Ambulances will be lined up outside the Joliet Emergency Department until signaled to pull into the bay.  Once a patient is ready to be transported, the move team will bring the patient down with a “Boarding Pass” that includes the patient’s medication information, special care instructions and new room number.  The group will get on the ambulance for the short 3 ½ mile trip down Route 6 to the New Lenox Emergency Department. Joliet, New Lenox and Will County Sherriff’s Police will be stationed along the route to help ensure a safe transport.   

“We have alternate routes and contingency plans in place in case something happens to get in the way such as an accident, fire or weather-related obstructions—like snow,” said Ed Matteson, Director of Operations for Kurtz Ambulance Service.  “We are ready to handle any situation.”   

“I am very confident that our team is well-prepared for this move.  The transfer for each individual will be less than 40 minutes. We anticipate all patients will be in their new rooms by dinnertime in our beautiful new state-of-the-art hospital,” says Bakken.

Can you have a cheesy, saucy lasagna that’s a heart-healthy meal, too? Yep, you heard it. There’s nothing more romantic then Italian, so serve up this dish to your favorite valentine.  Boost its heart-health quotient by using whole-grain pasta; studies show that whole grains have nutrients that may reduce blood pressure and lower risk of stroke and heart disease.  

Hearty Lasagna

2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese (can substitute low-fat creamed cottage cheese)
1 egg
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp dried or 1 tbsp fresh basil
1 tsp dried or 1 tbsp fresh oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
2 cups fresh (chopped) or 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained
4 cups marinara sauce, low-sodium
1 lb box lasagna noodles, (whole wheat or whole grain), cooked and drained
2 large zucchini, thinly sliced
1½ cups low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, parsley, basil, oregano, garlic, and spinach. 
3. Spray bottom of 13 x 9-inch rectangular baking dish with cooking spray; spread bottom of dish with marinara sauce.
4. Top with a single layer of noodles (about 3 strips per layer).
5. Spread half of ricotta cheese mix and arrange half of zucchini on top.
6. Add another layer of sauce.
7. Top with noodles, second layer of ricotta cheese mix, then remaining zucchini. 
8. Add another layer of noodles, spread with marinara sauce, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
9. Cover with nonstick foil and bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes or until browned.
10. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Makes: 10 servings

Nutrition Information:

Per serving: Calories: 322, 118 calories from fat; 13 g fat; 7 g saturated fat; 61 mg cholesterol; 343 mg sodium; 31 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 20 g protein. Calories from fat: 36%.

“Located on the new Silver Cross Hospital campus, we combined the latest diagnostic technology with a home-like atmosphere,” says Theresa Quinn, Administrative Director for Ambulatory Services at Silver Cross Hospital. “Each spacious private room features a private bathroom, calming decor, and a comfortable bed to put our patients at ease.”

Silver Cross is excited to announce the opening of a state-of-the-art Sleep Disorders Center on the new Replacement Hospital Campus. The mission at the Silver Cross Sleep Disorders Center is to help patients get a good night’s sleep. The Silver Cross Sleep Disorders Center offers treatment and diagnosis of the following sleep disorders: Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Sleep Related Breathing Disorders, Insomnia, Sleep Related Movement Disorders, and Narcolepsy. Under the medical direction of board certified pulmonologist and sleep specialist Phillip Leung, M.D., the Center specializes in testing, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.

“We are committed to helping our patients receive the correct treatment that will enable them to rest more properly, so they can have a better quality of life,” says Dr. Phillip Leung, Medical Director of the Silver Cross Sleep Disorders Center.

At the Silver Cross Sleep Disorders Center, expert technologists perform polysomnographic testing, and sleep studies that provide a detailed picture of a patient’s entire sleep cycle. The studies allow technicians to analyze a patient’s exact sleep pattern, from the onset of sleep through the 5 normal levels of sleep, to breathing, oxygen levels, heartbeat, movement and snoring activity. Data from the study is invaluable in diagnosing and treating any sleep disorder someone may have. The morning following the sleep study, our experts then analyze the patient’s results. Some patients may begin treatment as soon as the same day.

If you or someone you love is experiencing a sleep problem, we invite you to contact our Center for an initial consultation. For more information, call 1-815-300-REST(7378) or visit http://www.silvercross.org/

Silver Cross Hospital's new Cardiac Cath Lab offers heart patients streamlined care/advanced technology.

Since February is designated as American Heart month, Silver Cross is excited to offer heart patients a wide variety of cardiac services at the new Hospital opening Feb. 26 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. The new Silver Cross Cardiac Cath Lab is located on the Procedural Care Unit (PCU) offering streamlined care and advanced technology. The PCU is the consolidation of surgery, interventional cardiology and radiology, and endoscopy procedures into one integrated area—the Procedural Care Unit (PCU).   Located on the second floor of the replacement hospital, each of these areas is conveniently adjacent to the PCU Family Lounge and also many private pre/post procedural rooms.  The PCU has been designed for flexibility, operational efficiencies, and advanced technology.

In addition, the Cardiac Cath Lab is equipped with a new Philips Angiography System, offering the latest innovations in diagnostic and interventional cardiac care for patients with coronary artery disease. “This minimally invasive approach to cardiac care allows for quicker healing for patients, many of whom can go home the same day of their procedure,” says Brendan Casey, Manager of Cardiology and Interventional Radiology at Silver Cross Hospital.  “Our cardiologists on staff are experts in balloon angioplasty & stenting techniques, helping to restore critical blood flow to the chambers of the heart.”

Further, Silver Cross Hospital offers a wide range of cardiac services. We are proud to have the following distinctions:

• Certification from the Society of Chest Pain Centers
• A Cardiac Rehab program that is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab (AACVPR)
• Diagnostic echocardiography program certified by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL)

Take a Tour of the new Hospital. Families with loved ones who suffer from heart disease are invited to take a tour of the Cardiac Cath Lab in the Procedural Care Unit and other areas of the new Silver Cross Hospital on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Housewarming Party.  Tour reservations are being accepted HERE. will also be a variety of entertainment, a special visit from the Joliet Slammers and guests can enter the “Name the Robot Contest” for a chance to win a Sony Bloggie Touch Video Camera.  Onsite parking will be available with shuttle bus service to the main entrance.

February is Heart Month – Take Care of Your Heart with a Screening. Do you know if you are at risk for heart disease—the number one leading killer of both men and women?  Now is the time to find out with a heart screening called a Baseline Cardiac Risk Assessment. This screening includes measurements of total cholesterol including HDL and LDL levels, blood glucose level, triglyceride level, blood pressure and body fat; 12-lead EKG, health and lifestyle evaluation, and a personal phone consultation with a registered cardiac nurse to review results and answer questions.  A 12- hour fast is required. Cost is $40.  The screening is offered at either the Silver Cross Health Center at 12701 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen or the Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health, 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 300-7076.

Shop away this Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the annualy Antique & Collectibles Sale. All proceeds will go to the hospital Advisory Board.

Silver Cross Hospital’s resale shop—the Encore Shop, will hold its annual Antique and Collectibles Sale Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Some of the items available to purchase include Swarovski Waterlily candleholder, metal Tonka bulldozer and Radar jeep, Structo auto transporter truck, Horsman doll, 1930 Chevy hood ornament, rare plates, hand painted cups and saucers from Japan, photo book with metal pictures, and a 1934 Swit keychain.. Cash will only be accepted for purchases. All proceeds from the Antique Sale benefit Silver Cross Hospital, a not-for-profit health care provider.

The hospital’s Advisory Board operates the Encore Shop, which is located northwest of the hospital’s Keck Emergency Pavilion off Walnut Street in Joliet.  The Encore Shop is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations are welcome.  For more information, call Volunteers Services at Silver Cross Hospital at (815) 300-7117. 

Over the last few years, the Advisory Board has donated over $250,000 to purchase beds for the Intensive Care Unit, laptop computers for Home Health nurses, dialysis equipment, surgery carts and instruments, and a new pick-up truck used to maintain the grounds of the hospital campus.  The Advisory Board completed a $56,000 pledge to fund the purchase the most advanced mammography diagnostic equipment. Then the Board selected to purchase the mammography processor to go with the diagnostic equipment. The group also recently completed a pledge of $150, 000 to fund X-ray equipment for the Emergency Department.  The group recently donated $75,000 to fund The Dralle Serenity Garden water feature at the Silver Cross Replacement Hospital opening on Feb. 26, 2012 in New Lenox.

Don't give up on your 2012 resolution!

Silver Cross Hospital is offering Obesity & Your Health: Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You? Join Drs. Christopher Joyce and Brian Lahmann, experienced gastric bypass surgeons with Bariatric & Minimally Invasive (BMI) Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital, for a free informational session about Obesity & Your Health: Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

 The program is held every Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. in the Specialty Care Pavilion on the Silver Cross Hospital Campus, 1300 Copperfield Ave., Joliet. Participants will learn about the advantages and risks of traditional and laparoscopic bariatric weight loss surgery, including the REALIZE™ and Lap-Band gastric band systems, find out who is a candidate for the procedure, and hear from area patients about their experiences. Silver Cross has been named as Bariatric Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery. Register to attend this free informational session here.

Board certified neurosurgeon Thomas Hurley, M.D., with Southwest Suburban Neurological Surgery has relocated to the Silver Cross Replacement Hospital campus at 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., Suite 450, Pavilion A, New Lenox, IL 60451. Dr. Hurley can be reached by phone at (815) 723-4387 or fax (815) 723-4634. He accepts most insurances and is currently accepting new patients. Since Dr. Hurley is on staff at Silver Cross Hospital, his patients benefit from the following convenient services that are available at Silver Cross: MRI, CT, PET and X-ray; DEXA-bone density testing; blood work; large private rooms; inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation; home health care and same day surgery.

 Thomas Hurley, M.D., earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago. He remained at Rush for his residency training in neurological surgery. After completing his residency, Dr. Hurley joined the medical staff of Silver Cross Hospital in 1996 as a founding member and medical director of the CINN Institute of Spinal Care.With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Hurley treats a wide range of nervous system conditions. He is an authority in the care of patients with traumatic spine disorders, specializing in complex fusion and minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Hurley is an active author and lecturer who presents ongoing community programs on the various aspects of spinal and brain disorders.He holds memberships in several professional organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Medical Association. He is past president of the Illinois State Neurosurgical Society and current president of the Will-Grundy County Medical Society. He is a former 2^nd District Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the Illinois State Medical Society.Further, Dr. Hurley has been recognized as one of the “Top Docs” at Silver Cross Hospital for outstanding patient satisfaction.

The Joliet Slammers’ mascots—Spikes and J.L. Bird will also be at the opening celebration along with 2011 Frontier League Championship Cup.

In celebration of the opening of the new Silver Cross Hospital at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox, several local musical entertainers will perform on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Housewarming Party between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.   The line-up includes the Sandburg High School Choir from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Joliet Folk Lorico Dancers from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m., Lincoln Way West High School Choir, from 2 to 3 p.m. and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Music Ministry from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.   

In addition to the performance artists, guests will be treated to a 45-minute self-guided walking tour through several areas in the hospital including the emergency department, imaging, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, private medical-surgical patient rooms, Women and Infant Services Birthing Center, and Intensive Care Unit.  In the new  new Procedural Care Unit, which consolidates surgery, endoscopy and interventional cardiology and radiology procedures into one integrated area,  visitors can see the hospital’s newest technology—the Davinci.  This robotic surgical system is designed to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach and is controlled by a surgeon from a console.  The Davinci robot is commonly used for prostatectomies and hysterectomies. There will even be a “Name the Robot” Contest in which tour participants will have a chance to win a Sony Bloggie Touch video camera.

 “This is your opportunity to get a sneak peek before we open our doors on Feb. 26,” said Paul Pawlak, President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital.  “We will take you into areas that most people never have a chance to see such as the operating room and interventional core which includes the cath lab, interventional radiology lab, electrophysiology suite where doctors repair fast beating hearts and insert pacemakers, and where our brand new biplane angiography imaging system will be located to treat patients with strokes later this summer.”

 New Hospital Opening Feb. 26, 2012. Construction began on the $370 million replacement hospital in 2009.  The 6-story facility was built using evidence-based design, which has been proven to help in the healing process and contribute to a speedier recovery for patients.   Some of the many ways that evidence-based design has been integrated into the 289-bed replacement hospital is with large, private patient rooms, natural and enhanced lighting, sound and noise control, cheerful yet calming colors, ties to nature, bedside care and dedicated family areas.  When the new hospital opens at 7 a.m. on Feb. 26, patients and families will also benefit from new technology and expanded services through partnerships with renowned academic centers including Children’s Memorial Hospital, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and most recently, the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC).  UCMC and Silver Cross are currently building an outpatient cancer center that will open in April 2012 on the New Lenox campus.

“We are building on our century old commitment to the Will County community by relocating our seven-time 100 Top Hospital care to a state-of-the-art facility that will serve future generations,” said Pawlak.

Reservations Recommended! Due to space limitations, reservations are highly recommended for the free grand opening event.  Secure your tour time at www.silvercross.org/newhospital and be entered in a raffle to win a KINDLE FIRE.

Expectant parents only have to one more month for a chance to win a $1,000 savings bond for their baby. Parents who deliver on or after Feb. 26, 2012—when the new Silver Cross Hospital opens at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox, will be entered into the drawing. Mothers-to-be will automatically be entered to win when they pre-register to deliver at www.silvercross.org/specialdeliveries or call (815) 300-7076 before Jan. 31, 2012.  The winner will be announced at the Silver Cross Hospital’s Grand Opening Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

 Silver Cross is bringing together cutting-edge medical technology with spa-like amenities to make the birthing experience all the more memorable.   The new Birthing Center at the New Lenox Hospital will have:

•  12 luxurious birthing suites designed for labor,delivery and recovery (so parents can have the convenience of staying in the same room through recovery followed by a stay in one of 30 private mother-baby suites.)
•  Each private suite is fully-equipped with a bathroom with both a shower and immersion tub to help with labor pains, blanket warmer, refrigerator, wireless internet access, 30” flat screen TV system, and a comfortable sofa-sleeper so family members can stay around the clock. 
• A variety of pain relief methods will be available 24 hours a day provided by an anesthesiologist.  For deliveries requiring surgery, there will be two complete cesarean suites.Children’s Memorial neonatologists and pediatric hospitalist will continue to be onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And if needed, Children’s pediatric cardiologists will be available to analyze a baby’s echocardiogram in real time through a video linkage with Silver Cross.

 The new Birthing Center will have a typical nursery as well as a Level 2 skilled infant care nursery with specialized staff.  State-of-the-art medical equipment will also be set up and ready inside each Birthing Suite’s cabinetry, if needed. “As a one of the 100 Top Hospitals in the nation, we pride ourselves on providing our patients with a safe environment,” says Marilyn Paollela, Director of Maternal/Child Services at Silver Cross.   “In our new hospital, we will have a state-of-the art infant security system, secured entrances to the Birthing Center and a reception desk on the unit assist families and give parents peace of mind.” The experienced medical team at Silver Cross is on alert to help at any time. Upon admission, patients will be partnered with a specially trained obstetrical nurse certified in electronic fetal monitoring who’ll assist throughout delivery.   The new unit also features mother/baby couplet care, which means that the same experienced nurse will care for both mother and baby until it is time to go home.  “This ensures continuity in care and improved communication between the patient, family, nursing staff and physicians,” says Paollela.

Silver Cross’ dedicated nursing team will continue to offer personal counseling and education before, during and after patients give birth.  Silver Cross also has five internationally-certified lactation consultants available for support to new moms who choose to breastfeed their babies. For more information about the new Silver Cross Women and Infant Birthing Center and to Save Your Due Date for a chance to win $1,000 savings bond for your baby, visit here .