Beacon expands partnership with Pediatrix and Obstetrix Medical Groups of Indiana for obstetrical hospitalist care
Obstetrix Medical Group of Indiana will begin providing obstetrical hospitalist physician coverage in February 2021 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Obstetrix Medical Group currently provides high-risk maternal-fetal medicine coverage at Memorial, and for nearly 40 years, Pediatrix Medical Group has provided neonatal coverage at Memorial’s internationally recognized Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Both groups are a division of MEDNAX®.
Board-certified Obstetrix physicians will provide care to laboring obstetrical patients who are admitted to Memorial, and they will also oversee midwifery care. Their services will not extend to outpatient care or routine gynecologic services, or affect the medical privileges of other physicians who will still deliver at the hospital.
Obstetrix provides obstetrical hospitalist services for 34 hospitals nationwide and is a leader in developing processes and protocols that improve patient care coordination in labor and delivery. Dr. Brian Gilpin, National Clinical Director of OB Hospitalist Services for Obstetrix Medical Group, will work closely with Dr. Edward Durbin, Medical Director of Obstetrics and Chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Memorial Hospital, on implementing clinical pathways that will further enhance the quality of Memorial’s labor and delivery services.
“From a quality and consistency of care perspective, this is a natural fit,” said Dr. Durbin. “This will enhance communication and coordination between our physicians and departments for seamless care, which means the best possible clinical outcomes for our patients.”
Expectant mothers experiencing high-risk pregnancies will have access to an incredibly high level of care and support across their entire journey through the maternal-fetal medicine program and labor and delivery services. Their babies will receive advanced neonatal care at Beacon Children’s Hospital’s Level III Newborn Intensive Care Unit. Beacon Children’s Hospital, the only children’s hospital in northern Indiana, was the first hospital in the nation to offer couplet care, enabling families to stay with their babies in private patient rooms for the duration of their stay.
“This model of care allows us to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes and a seamless patient experience,” said Debra Kaspar, Market President for Pediatrix and Obstetrix Medical Groups. “We look forward to continuing our great partnership and providing superior care for patients.”
Obstetrix-affiliated physicians will begin work on Feb.15 at Memorial Hospital and will be available 24/7 to support all obstetricians in the community and provide immediate care for obstetric emergencies. They will work closely with their colleagues across Indiana and the country to share best practices and identify opportunities to improve the services Memorial provides to its patients.
“Thank you to our community obstetricians who have supported us in growing the services we can provide to pregnant women. They have helped us lay the groundwork for all we will be able to accomplish with this expanded partnership,” said Dale Patterson, M.D., Vice President of Medical Staff Affairs at Memorial Hospital. “This new obstetrical hospitalist service is adding another layer of safety as we increase our ability to care for moms and babies and support a busy high-risk obstetrical practice and children’s hospital.”
About Beacon Health System
Beacon Health System is the largest, locally owned and operated non-profit health care system in the region. Beacon is our community’s trusted partner and guide in creating and maintaining health and the majority provider of services to the underinsured and underserved. Beacon Granger Hospital, Elkhart General Hospital, Community Hospital of Bremen, Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Beacon Children’s Hospital, Beacon Medical Group, Beacon Health Foundation and Beacon Health & Fitness are powered by more than 7,000 associates and 1,100 physicians. Additionally, Epworth Hospital is St. Joseph County’s only inpatient behavioral health facility. Beacon is also an educational organization helping to train medical residents in family medicine and hospital pharmacy. Visit Beacon online at www.beaconhealthsystem.org.
About MEDNAX
MEDNAX, Inc. is a national health solutions partner comprised of the nation’s leading providers of physician services. Physicians and advanced practitioners practicing as part of MEDNAX are reshaping the delivery of care within their specialties and subspecialties, using evidence-based tools, continuous quality initiatives, consulting services, clinical research and telemedicine to enhance patient outcomes and provide high-quality, cost-effective care. The Company was founded in 1979, and today, through its affiliated professional corporations, MEDNAX provides services through a network of more than 3,000 physicians in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Additional information is available at www.mednax.com.
