Baptist Health System to expand, enhance women’s services across San Antonio

Baptist Health System announced plans today for the expansion and enhancement of its women’s services at several of its hospital campuses. The plans represent an initial investment of over $10 million dedicated to facility renovations, clinical technology additions, expanded outpatient access as well as the addition of labor and delivery services at its south San Antonio location, Mission Trail Baptist Hospital.

“Continued growth on the south side of San Antonio has resulted in a growing demand for a community-based women’s program that will allow women to deliver their baby closer to home,” said Michael Cline, Mission Trail Baptist Hospital CEO. “Women are having to travel outside of their community to access prenatal and labor and delivery services. To serve our community, we are opening a women’s program dedicated to delivering a high quality, patient-focused experience in the heart of the Brooks development.”

The new OB program will initially feature nine private labor and delivery rooms, seven post-partum suites, two dedicated C-section suites and an eight-bed Level l neonatal designation with plans to expand both physical capacity and NICU level by 2022. The program will launch with an OB hospitalist element as well as a dedicated OB Emergency Department.

North Central Baptist Hospital, which serves as one of the primary hubs for maternal and neonate services within Baptist Health System and Stone Oak, is investing in improvements to enhance its women’s program including renovation of its Labor and Delivery Unit that will include a more contemporary aesthetic with lighting, new flooring and updated décor. Upgrades will also facilitate greater access to the hospital’s newest surgical robot, which is dedicated to advanced gynecological oncology and other surgeries. North Central Baptist currently features 21 labor and delivery suites, 55 postpartum suites, a 72-bed Level IV NICU, (the highest level achievable), a dedicated maternal, neonate, and pediatric transport team, OB Emergency Department, 24/7 OB hospitalist program, high-risk antepartum care and a NICU Training Simulation Lab. New enhancements are expected to be finalized by this winter.

St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital is redesigning its women’s tower to create a more patient-centered environment and experience. The hospital’s women’s program recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary. The project will include front entry signage, modern aesthetics, upgrading standard amenities throughout their women’s units including two dedicated sky suites with expanded amenities for mom and family. “St. Luke’s Baptist has established an advanced maternal and neonate program focused on delivering the highest level of care within a boutique care setting,” said Liza Denman, chief strategy officer for women’s services at Baptist. “The modern amenities will complement the personalized experience that makes St. Luke’s unique within the Medical Center,” she said.” The renovations are expected to be complete by December of this year. The St. Luke’s Baptist program is comprised of 13 labor and delivery and 26 post-partum suites, a 36-bed Level IV NICU, dedicated OB hospitalist and OB Emergency Department. In addition to its expansive maternal and neonate program, the hospital has established a midwifery-centered program and two dedicated labor and delivery rooms designed to support a more natural birthing experience.

In Westover Hills, Baptist Health System is establishing a new outpatient access point to serve the growing demand for maternal and pediatric services. The Baptist Women’s and Children’s Center will be located near 1604 and Culebra. The center will be focused on delivering personalized care for women and children in an intimate setting, with access to higher acuity specialty care within the Baptist Health System network. Anticipated opening for the center is third quarter of 2021.

“Women’s services are a primary origination point for subsequent healthcare services not only for mom but for the rest of her family. Our focus and investments are dedicated around delivering a more desirable and accessible health care experience for moms and families,” said Matt Stone, Baptist Health System group CEO.