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Stephanie Stanley
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Telephone: 412-586-9762
Patients and medical professionals may call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) for more information.
UPMC Media Relations 

UPMC Mercy Chosen as Primary Referral Hospital by The Midwife Center for Birth and Women’s Health

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 13, 2010 – UPMC Mercy has been selected as the new primary referral hospital for The Midwife Center for Birth and Women’s Health (TMC).

A state-licensed freestanding birth center, TMC is required to maintain a referral relationship with a nearby hospital. TMC’s nurse-midwives had previously been providing care at Allegheny General Hospital until the hospital recently discontinued inpatient obstetrical services. TMC chose UPMC Mercy for its high level of medical care and environment that is supportive and welcoming of midwifery-style care.

“The Midwife Center and UPMC Mercy share a philosophy of care, emphasizing community and providing care in an intimate setting,” stated Christine Haas, TMC’s executive director. With a Level III intensive care nursery and 24-hour anesthesia coverage, UPMC Mercy is located less than 10 minutes from the birth center, allowing easy transfer of care. In addition to accepting most major health insurance plans, TMC accepts the UPMC Health Plan, which covers birthing services at TMC.

“The Midwife Center’s focus on providing high-quality, personalized care is consistent with UPMC Mercy’s mission to serve the health care needs of our community,” said Will Cook, president of UPMC Mercy. “We extend a warm welcome to the center and its patients as they join our family.”

TMC’s new primary consulting physicians will be Greater Pittsburgh OB/GYN (GPOB), a group of 15 obstetricians/gynecologists available at UPMC Mercy at all times if a midwife needs to consult, or for a caesarean delivery. “The physicians of Greater Pittsburgh OB/GYN enthusiastically support midwifery and welcome this opportunity for collaborative practice,” said David Badway, M.D., lead physician of GPOB.

TMC clients who need additional levels of care will have immediate access to internationally renowned experts in preterm and high-risk pregnancies from the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine of Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. Magee’s maternal-fetal subspecialists offer state-of-the-art care to women with complicated pregnancies and deliveries, working closely with their primary obstetric health providers.

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