The Westerly Hospital is investing $1.8 million in a women’s health initiative, including an array of new high-tech services as well as a still-to-be-recruited women’s health director to develop a “holistic approach” to women’s health services at the hospital.
The project, to be unveiled today at an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony, is being financed through philanthropy, hospital officials said. An estimated 30,000 women live in the hospital’s service area, and the hospital’s board unanimously endorsed the project.
“Women represent about half of our patients, but they also often take responsibility for the health care decisions for the rest of the family,” said Margaret Austin, vice president of patient care services, in a news release.
“They are the caregivers and deserve full-service treatment,” she added. “Along with our already high patient satisfaction rates and dedicated staff, we now offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technology in the area.”
At today’s event, the hospital will showcase a suite of new “state-of-the-art” technology, including digital mammography; a stereotactic biopsy table; and a new bone density machine more sensitive than the current technology for diagnosing osteoporosis.
Next will be the hiring of a women’s health director with broad responsibilities:
“Women’s health is more than just getting an annual physical,” said Austin. “It’s about breast health, obstetrics, gynecology, gastroenterology, cardiology, diet and nutrition, and more. We’re excited to be recruiting for this position which will not only advocate for the health of the women in our community, but will also work to develop a more coordinated delivery system for all of their care.”
The hospital has launched a fundraising effort for this project, with a goal of more than $1.8 million, led by trustees Mary Jo Orsinger and Martha Hosp. Anyone wishing to donate should contact Nick Stahl, director of development, at (401) 637-4710 or Stahl.
The Westerly Hospital is a 125-bed hospital serving Washington County in Rhode Island and New London County in Connecticut. It offers a wide array of medical, surgical, laboratory and rehabilitative services in a community hospital setting. For more information, visit www.westerlyhospital.org.
