Five years ago, we welcomed a new addition to our healthcare family– Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital. Since opening day on June 29, 2000, women’s healthcare has just kept getting better.

Women & Babies was the start of an entirely new approach to medical care. Dedicated exclusively to the unique healthcare requirements of women and babies, this facility has grown and adapted to meet our community’s wants and needs.

We do this by listening to you—your suggestions on patient satisfaction surveys, your letters, your comments, your phone calls and the feedback we receive from our Women’s Advisory Group, NICU Support Group, Maternity Advisory Group and medical staff. Our Board of Directors, nurses and entire staff also continue to suggest ways we can serve you better.

Jan Bergen, Senior Vice President, has been helping lead Women & Babies since the beginning. She joined the Lancaster General team specifically for the opportunity to be a part of such an innovative concept in care.

“When I realized what Lancaster General was striving for with this new hospital, I knew it was something I had to be a part of,” Jan says. “I saw it as a completely unique chance to make a real difference in the lives of women and babies in our community.”

The hospital spent the first few months focusing on maternity services, but other programs and services quickly followed.

“We opened the maternity services first as we wanted to make sure our core services were operating effectively before introducing an array of new services. From the beginning, we knew our vision was to position Women & Babies to be a comprehensive resource for women of all ages. To do this right, we needed to take the time necessary to carefully plan and prioritize our resources,” Jan says. “Members of the Advisory Committee joined with physician leaders and employees to develop our first plan for women’s services.”

The carefully thought out strategy has proven amazingly successful. Each year the number of patients continues to increase. “We’re one of the busiest hospitals in the state in maternity
volumes and mammograms,” Jan says.

“I’m really proud of the team. Despite being incredibly busy, we have still scored in the 98th-99th percentile on the patient satisfaction survey on a consistent basis. It requires a phenomenal amount of effort on the part of every team member to maintain that standard of care,” Jan says. “Everyone does their jobs with the intent of making every patient experience positive and they embrace that philosophy. They don’t want it to be an ordinary experience.”

To meet the growing demand, the team is exploring creative solutions. “We are looking to expand many areas, including triage, couplet care and the NICU,” Jan says. In addition, the hospital is looking to improve access to its services through educational programs at other Lancaster General sites. The hospital team is also working with Lancaster General Family Health Services to provide care at Southeast Lancaster Health Services.

The hospital’s educational efforts are supplemented by special events like Women’s Expressions. Since its start, Women’s Expressions has raised more than $200,000 for vital initiatives such as the Breast Care Center, Women’s Heart Health Initiative and adolescent programs.

To celebrate its fifth birthday and to thank the community for their outstanding support, Women & Babies will host special events from September 18-25.

Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital
Birthday Celebration
Sunday, September 18, 1-4 p.m.
Women & Babies Hospital Birthday Party
Celebration will be on the grounds of Women & Babies. Join us for a community celebration of our 5th birthday. We’ll have games, prizes, cake and refreshments, educational information and a performance by the Stephen Courtney Band at 2 p.m. Be sure to check out our “20,000 Miracles & Growing” photo display of many of the babies born at Women & Babies during the past five years.

Monday, September 19, 7 p.m.
What a Girl Wants… And Needs to Know
A program for mothers and their daughters ages 9-12. Skin care tips will be featured.

Tuesday, September 20, 1 p.m.
Managing Urinary Incontinence
You can help control this common problem with the proper therapy.

Tuesday, September 20, 6:30 p.m.
Women & Heart Disease
Health Campus
3rd Floor Conference Room
Heart disease is one of the leading killers of women in the United States. Learn about risk factors and healthy behaviors.

Tuesday, September 20, 7 p.m.
Being a Wise Medical Consumer
Learn how to ask the right questions and get the answers you need.

Wednesday, September 21, 7 p.m.
Coping with Panic Attacks, Stress, Anxiety
Develop strategies to help manage life’s many demands.

Thursday, September 22, 7 p.m.
Transitions… from Perimenopause to Menopause
Understand the changes that occur and how you can make this transition go more smoothly.

Friday, September 23, 9:30 a.m.
Nutrition & Exercise for Toddlers
Healthy habits start at a young age. Help your toddler get started on the right foot.

Sunday, September 25, 1-4 p.m.
Lancaster General Health Campus
NICU Birthday Party
This invitation-only event celebrates the birthdays of all Women & Babies NICU babies born during the past five years.

Please note: Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and will take place in the 2nd floor conference room of Women & Babies Hospital. To register for the seminars, please call 1-800-341-2121 or log onto www.LancasterGeneral.org/foh.

Women’s services include:

• Breast Care Center – Breast Care Coordinators help patients manage all aspects of care from diagnosis through treatment.
• Diagnostic Imaging – x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, diagnostic and screening mammograms.
• Inpatient & Outpatient Surgical Services – expert surgical care is provided in inpatient and day
  surgery units.
• Laboratory Services – blood tests, urine tests, pre-admission testing.
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists – specially trained obstetricians who provide comprehensive care for mothers and babies throughout high-risk pregnancies.
• Maternity Services – a team of anesthesiologists, obstetric providers, ultrasonographers,
   respiratory therapists and neonatalogists are in-house 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support pregnant women. Perinatologists are also available as needed.
• Medical Office Building – provides space for medical practices specializing in different aspects of women’s and children’s healthcare.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – 21-bed Level III unit that provides the maximum level of care.
• Osteoporosis Center – diagnostic and educational services for women who have, or who may be at risk for developing osteoporosis.
• Special Care Unit – a six-bed, high-level care unit for women experiencing complications before or after pregnancy or surgery.
• Specialized Physical Therapy Services – lymphedema and urinary incontinence management programs.
• Women’s Health Boutique™ – specialty products and services such as wigs, prosthetics and bra fittings.
• Women’s Wellness Center – lending library of books and tapes on health concerns; also home to educational programs and classes.