Photo Caption: The new $17.5 million Birthing Center at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington will be blessed July 29, and be open for tours the following day.

BLOOMINGTON — OSF St. Joseph Medical Center will deliver on some great expectations when it unveils its new state-of-the-art Birthing Center next Saturday, July 30.

The public will have an opportunity to tour the facility, which is located on the north side of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, 2200 E. Washington St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Personalized tours will be offered at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for expectant parents.

The community open house follows a day of celebration.

The new Birthing Center will be blessed and dedicated in an invitation-only ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 29. Taking part will be Sister Judith Ann Duvall, OSF, major superior of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis and chairperson of OSF HealthCare, and Father James Kretz, a senior priest whose service included chaplaincy at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will follow.

Ground was broken for the $17.5 million Birthing Center on May 11, 2010. The 29,000-square-foot addition includes 12 private
labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum (LDRP) rooms and increased space for newer and greater amounts of equipment. There is also a 15-bed nursery area that is glassed in and has a step up so children will be able to see their new brothers and sisters.

OSF St. Joseph officials said the LDRP rooms make it possible for patients to remain in the same place, instead of moving at each stage of the birth process. “Family-friendly amenities” include large, private bathrooms in each room, as well as family waiting rooms and an enhanced play area for children.

It is estimated that more than 700 babies are delivered at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center each year.

In addition, 5,500 square feet in the previous facility were renovated to form a new obstetrics and gynecological unit.

“This new structure will provide a state-of-the-art facility with a warm and compassionate environment — better care for our patients, and better for the community for many years to come,” said Ken Natzke, president and CEO of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center.

Helping with the funding for the project is the OSF St. Joseph Foundation, which has raised $1.5 million of its $3.5 million goal. The Delivering Joy Community Campaign is credited with having 100 percent support from members of the “OSF family,” including members of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center’s administration, managers, directors and employees, as well as the community board and the foundation council.

For more information or to take a virtual tour of the Birthing Center, visit osfstjoseph.org/birth.