HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Memorial Regional Hospital has opened a new $68 million Family Birthplace, aiming to provide a more comfortable and convenient experience for expectant mothers, particularly those with high-risk pregnancies.
More than 60% of babies in Broward County are delivered at one of the Memorial hospitals, making the expansion a critical investment in maternal and neonatal care.
The newly renovated facility, located on the hospital’s fourth floor, spans more than 59,000 square feet and offers private rooms, family lounges and a meditation room.
For families like Kelly Aubel’s, the hospital’s specialized care is invaluable.
Her 8-month-old son, Andy, was born with multiple heart defects and underwent life-saving surgery just 24 hours after birth. Since then, he has had two open-heart surgeries and numerous procedures, but his future is now bright.
“It feels like home, even though it’s not,” Aubel said. “It seems warm and inviting, a place where you’d want to spend more time, even if it’s not the most ideal circumstances.”
The Family Birthplace is directly connected to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, ensuring seamless access to specialists for newborns needing advanced care.
“If I need to talk to the family about their child just after they’re born or after the procedure, it’s much easier to have them nearby,” said Dr. Frank Scholl, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Chief at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “It’s peace of mind for the family knowing that the healthcare team is right there, literally steps away.”