Community leaders and hospital supporters, including Deborah Norton and her daughters Anna, Sydney and Taylor — triplets born at Fairview Hospital in March of 2000 — participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the facility’s Jacob’s Women’s Pavilion. (Photos by Larry Bennet)

Fairview Hospital opens expanded birthing center
New 35-bed addition offers new moms modern amenities, more privacy
By Kevin Kelley
Westshore
Published Jan. 18, 2006

Fairview Hospital’s new postpartum unit, which features new private rooms and more modern amenities, has already welcomed its first newborn.

Ryan Theus was born Sunday, and he and his mother, Sarah, of Cleveland, were first patients to occupy one of the 35 private rooms in the unit.

On Saturday, more than 4,000 area residents attended an open house at the unit, the first section of a $17.2 million expansion and renovation project to become operational. The open house featured tours of the new unit, free health screenings, food, children’s activities and hourly giveaways.  

Fred DeGrandis, chief executive officer, Cleveland Clinic Health System – Western Region, speaks at Thursday’s opening of the hospital’s new postpartum unit.

“The attendance at our open house was truly amazing,” said Jeffrey Leimgruber, chief administrative officer of Fairview Hospital. “Judging by the overwhelming response, it seems we are right on track with what moms-to-be are requesting – a comfortable environment while receiving excellent care.”

The main benefits of the new unit are the rooms, which resemble hotel rooms and feature more privacy for the new mother and family as well as more modern facilities.

Hospital officials and supporters officially opened the unit Thursday evening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The event, which was emceed by Channel 3 News health reporter Monica Robins, was attended by community leaders and hospital supporters, including Fairview Park Mayor Eileen Patton and Bay Village Mayor Deborah Sutherland, both members of the Fairview/Lutheran Hospitals Board of Trustees.

Michael O’Boyle, chief operating officer of the Cleveland Clinic Health System, noted that the system relocated its obstetrical services from the Clinic to its system hospitals – Fairview, Hillcrest, Huron and Lakewood – in response to consumer preferences.

“This relocation allows us to offer convenient care from Cleveland Clinic obstetricians, and friends and families appreciate the easy accessibility and convenience of our community hospitals,” O’Boyle said.

Jeffrey A. Leimgruber, chief administrative officer of Fairview Hospital, said the physical addition gives the exterior of Fairview Hospital “a much-needed facelift” for the first time since the hospital was built in 1954.

“This new facility complements the high-quality clinical care we are known for,” Leimgruber said, “and ensures new mothers and families receive the most comfortable, private and pleasurable experience that we can provide them.”

The addition to the hospital will be called the Jacobs Women’s Pavilion in honor of the late Barbara Jacobs, who made a $1 million donation to the institution.

When completed in April, the addition will also include a 13-bed high-risk obstetrics unit, skilled nursing unit and acute rehabilitation unit

Leimgruber promised renovation and expansion would not end with the completion of the Jacob’s Women’s Pavilion. He said long-term plans for the hospital include a $12.7 million upgrade and expansion of the heart program, renovation and expansion of the radiology and emergency department, and expansion of the cancer center.