Health system completes renovation, begins expansion

FORT MYERS — Lee Health has completed renovation of its existing obstetrical unit at HealthPark Medical Center and has begun work on an expansion that will allow it to move OB beds from Gulf Coast Medical Center. 

Lee Health has renovated its 42 OB rooms at HealthPark Medical Center. They are now fully private with family sleep capabilities. An expansion into formerly occupied space will accommodate the 32 OB beds currently located at Gulf Coast Medical Center, plus add 10 more, bringing the total number of OB beds at HealthPark to 84. The work and move are scheduled to be completed on March 1, 2019.

"With renovated rooms and close proximity to Golisano Children's Hospital, OB patients will receive the highest level health care and in a comfortable environment for moms and their families,” says Scott Kashman, chief acute care officer, in a statement.  “This has been part of our long-term plan since opening Golisano's new building last year, and we look forward to continuing to meet our region's health care needs,”

The HealthPark Medical Center Obstetrics Unit expansion will occupy space vacated when pediatric services moved to Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. In addition to the new OB beds, the OB emergency department and triage at HealthPark's emergency department will expand from three to seven beds. The renovated delivery rooms are near the unit's operating suites should they be needed. Proximity to Golisano Children's Hospital provides easy access to the area's only Level II and Level III neonatal intensive care unit for high-risk pregnancies.