Adventist Health dedicates, opens doors of new Family Birth Center in Hanford

According to officials with Adventist Health, the hospital’s obstetrics staff will likely begin its move into the new facility on March 6.

Adventist doctors deliver about 2,000 babies a year at their hospital in Hanford, and because of the area’s expected growth, more room was going to be needed to handle the expected influx.

The $45 million center is adjacent to the Adventist Medical Center and will replace the current birth center at Central Valley General Hospital on Douty Street, where approximately six babies are born every day.

Local officials and staff were treated to tours of the new facility which will provide 31 beds, including 10 for labor and delivery, 16 for after delivery, four evaluation beds, and six neonatal intensive care beds. The new facility will have new equipment and technology as well as two operating rooms.

Jerry Pierce, an assistant director with the Kings Regional Health Foundation, said the completion of the new facility comes at a good time. “As the county continues to grow, there is going to be a drastic need for more health care services,” he said. “This is a really good thing.”

The Foundation also contributed to the cost of the facility to the tune of about $1.2 million. A check signifying the amount was awarded to President and CEO of Adventist Health/Central Valley Network Wayne Perch during opening remarks on Wednesday outside the new facility.

Hanford Mayor Justin Mendes was also on hand. “This is such a great place,” he told the audience. “We want to do everything we can from the city’s perspective to help out.”

Dr. Richard Ellsworth, who’s been delivering babies at Adventist Health for nearly 30 years said: “This will be one of the most modern facilities in our area.”