EvergreenHealth Monroe expanding obstetric care

EvergreenHealth has a long-term plan to expand its obstetric (OB) care and establish inpatient maternity services at its Monroe facility.

The plan includes expanding prenatal, gynecology and obstetrical outpatient services at EvergreenHealth Women's Care in Monroe, as well as advancing clinical and facility plans to open an inpatient unit at EvergreenHealth Monroe.

Drs. Suzanne Hopkins and Pilar Baquero are the current patient providers at EvergreenHealth Women's Care in Monroe, and EvergreenHealth plans to add a third provider in advance of inpatient OB services. Women will continue to deliver their babies at EvergreenHealth Kirkland until patient volumes allow inpatient services to open in Monroe, according to a news release, which is anticipated to occur in the next few years.

The new OB unit is planned to include five birthing suites that will require remodeling existing space and purchasing new equipment and technology.

The former Valley General Hospital's previous OB unit closed in 2011, prior to being added to the EvergreenHealth system.