Mother’s Day: Northwell signals support for Sharon Hospital maternity care

SHARON – After nearly a decade of turmoil and public backlash over efforts to shutter Sharon Hospital’s labor and delivery unit, the facility celebrated Mother’s Day with a commemorative onesie for babies born on or around the holiday – a signal of Northwell Health’s commitment to supporting local maternity care.

Over Mother’s Day weekend, onesies were presented to newborns and mothers, and hospital officials said the initiative “honors mothers and highlights the hospital’s dedication to women’s health.” The gifts were accompanied by a Mother’s Day message that Sharon Hospital said symbolizes Northwell’s commitment to supporting new mothers and families.

The labor and delivery unit became the focus of intense public debate after Nuvance, which acquired the hospital in 2017, proposed closing the department, citing low birth volumes and the high cost of maintaining the services. The proposal sparked widespread backlash and led to the formation of the grassroots advocacy group Save Sharon Hospital.

Rallies were held over the years and numerous state officials voiced opposition to the plan, warning that the Northwest Corner and nearby parts of Dutchess County could become “materning-care deserts” without local labor and delivery services.”

Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy ultimately denied Nuvance’s certificate of need application – a state requirement before making major healthcare changes like shutting down a labor and delivery department – finding that it failed to meet five of the eight criteria.

Last year, following the merger of Northwell and Nuvance, an agreement with the Connecticut attorney general’s office required the maternity unit to remain open for at least five years.

A statement posted to Save Sharon Hospital’s website last spring said, “Sharon Hospital will now be under leadership that wants not only to improve and expand services at Sharon Hospital, but also to maintain its current vital services such as maternity.”

In a statement, hospital officials said, “The health system’s integration with Nuvance Health has further strengthened the maternity and women’s health services at Sharon Hospital, ensuring that families in the greater Sharon community receive exceptional care during one of life’s most precious moments.”

Christina McCulloch, president of the hospital, said, “Mother’s Day is a celebration of the love, strength and resilience of mothers everywhere. Our labor and delivery team is honored to welcome new lives into the world, and this special gift from Northwell Health reflects our shared commitment to compassionate, high-quality maternity care.”