South Shore University Hospital (SSUH) in Bay Shore has completed a $71 million, 45,560-square-foot, two-story Women and Children’s Center. The hospital-within-a-hospital includes a new labor and delivery suite, private post-partum suites, an all-private neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a post-anesthesia recovery unit (PACU), two new operating rooms, and obstetrical-triage beds.
“This new facility not only represents a commitment to providing exceptional care for mothers and newborns but also signifies a dedication to fostering a nurturing environment where the journey into parenthood is supported with compassion and cutting-edge medical expertise,” said Irene Macyk, PhD, RN, executive director of South Shore University Hospital. “The commitment Northwell Health has made to the people of Suffolk County is incredible and we know you will find our hospital to be a wonderful place to have a baby and receive superior care for both mother and child.”
The 29 postpartum suites, housed in the James and Gina Nazzaro Maternity Unit, feature private bathrooms and closets, LCD flat-screen televisions as well as recliners and sofas that convert to pull-out beds. The four new triage beds will be staffed 24/7 by an obstetrician and registered nurses. The state-of-the-art NICU is a 6,300-square-foot space dedicated to treating the most critically ill and premature babies.
“For many years the doctors and nurses at South Shore University Hospital have provided high quality care for women having a baby,” said Peter Finamore, MD, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at SSUH. “We are incredibly excited to now be able to provide that same expert service in our newly renovated center with state-of-the-art birthing suites, and beautiful postpartum rooms in a facility that mirrors the quality of care we deliver.”
The unit currently has 11 rooms and will eventually grow to 16 rooms. Each room has a pull-out bed for parents and features the highest-level medical equipment available for newborns and room service is available on the mother-baby unit. Mothers can order the food of their choice from a menu like a 5-star restaurant at a time that is suitable for them.
“The new NICU provides high quality care with state-of-the-art technology while offering privacy and a space for each family to foster bonding,” said Scarlett McKinsey, MD, chair of pediatrics at SSUH. “It is a very calm and caring environment close to home for our community.”
SSUH also opened two state-of-the-art operating rooms dedicated to women’s health procedures, including a new da Vinci surgical system to perform minimally invasive, robotic-assisted gynecologic procedures.
“Building the Women and Children’s Center at SSUH demonstrates our commitment to providing exceptional and compassionate care for expectant mothers and their babies in our community,” said Jolene Muscat, MD, vice chair of obstetrics and gynecology at SSUH. “We have developed not only a physical space but a culture and environment to support pregnant patients and their families during pregnancy and the postpartum period.”
The Women and Children’s Center expansion is in addition to a $500 million, five-year investment in South Shore University Hospital to expand both services and quality of care to Suffolk County residents. Additionally, over the summer, the hospital announced the groundbreaking for a 190,000 square-foot pavilion on the hospital campus. The pavilion has the capacity to accommodate up to 90 private patient rooms, 10 additional operating rooms and three additional procedure rooms and will cost an estimated $468 million.
