Vista Cuts Ribbon for New Birthing Unit
Almost 200 local officials, community and business leaders and assorted guests were on hand Wednesday evening at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan to mark the grand opening of the newest maternity/birthing unit in Lake County. The event celebrated the completion of the final phase of a multi-million dollar project to fully renovate and expand the New Family Center at Vista East. The center began deliveries in late January 2013 while the last phase of construction continued.
“This is an important event, not only for us at Vista, but for the community,” said Barbara J. Martin, president and chief executive officer of Vista Health System. “We’ve been a vital part of this community for well over 100 hundred years, and today our commitment is just as strong as ever. We’re proud to serve the people of Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion, Gurnee and all of Lake County. And what better way to invest in our future than in supporting young families with a beautiful new birthing center.”
The New Family Center occupies the second floor of Vista East. The final phase of construction adds a large, new waiting room as well as five more private post-partum rooms to bring that total to 15. The center also includes nine labor and delivery suites, two operating rooms for Cesarean deliveries, a neonatal intensive care unit and a nursery. It also offers a wide range of attractive amenities for moms, families and visitors.
“Vista is a tremendous asset to our community, and this latest expansion is another outstanding development in its progress,” said Wayne Motley, the new mayor of Waukegan, who addressed the crowd and affirmed his support for Vista.
Also speaking at the event were three members of Vista’s New Family Center medical staff: Yasir A. Mekki, M.D, and Martin Weiner, M.D., both obstetrician/gynecologists, along with Joyce Turley, M.D., neonatologist.
Vista offers free guided tours of the New Family Center each Wednesday at 6 p.m. For more information, call 847-360-4333, ext. 5218 to register. Vista Medical Center East is located at 1324 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. For more on the New Family Center, visit www.VistaHealth.com/NewFamily.