February 6, 2008
AMH Maternity Unit Expresses “Heartfelt” Thanks to Community
Nurses and other staff members from the Auburn Memorial Hospital Maternity unit gathered to express their thanks to everyone who supported them in reversing last year’s recommendation from the Berger Commission that the unit be closed. On January 17, 2008, the hospital was notified that the State Department of Health will allow AMH to continue providing maternity services for the women and families of Cayuga County. AMH is also scheduled to receive a state grant of $274,000 for the continued operation of the unit.
“We are thrilled,” said Cheryl Foster, R.N., a nurse in the AMH Maternity Unit. “We want to thank Senator Michael Nozzolio, Assemblyman Gary Finch, and everyone in the hospital and the community who kept expressing their support. We want to tell the community: ‘Because you were here for us when we needed you, now we will be here for you!’”
She added that the Maternity Unit also serves as a source of clinical experience for nursing students from Cayuga Community College.
Senator Nozzolio and Assemblyman Finch have both been strong advocates for Auburn Memorial Hospital. In the wake of the Berger Commission’s recommendation, Nozzolio convened a summit meeting in Albany with AMH executives and officials at the State Department of Health to make the case that closing the obstetrics unit would pose a significant health hazard for residents of Cayuga County.
Thousands of area residents signed a petition to keep the unit open within 72 hours of the time the recommendation to close it was announced. According to Shannon Harding, Assistant Nurse Manager of Obstetrics/Gynecology, “People kept telling us how important the unit is to our community. Many wrote letters to the State Department of Health in our defense.”
Foster added that the maternity staff is working now on planning an outdoor rally in the spring to thank everyone who supported them. Refreshments, balloons and entertainment are all being planned as part of a community celebration.
Shown in the photo are: (Front, left to right: Ana Dubovici, Karen DeChick, Deb Oliveras; Back row, left to right: Peggy Slocum, Jen Lang, Shannon Harding, Cheryl Foster, Ann Smith, Sherry Gunnip.