Huntington Memorial Hospital Launches Laborist Program

Huntington Memorial Hospital recently partnered with Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) to provide on-site, around-the-clock Board Certified OB/GYN obstetric hospitalist services by implementing a laborist program. Launched in January, this program offers specialized obstetric services to ensure the very best, most timely care for expectant mothers.

“Many obstetricians divide their time between private practice, outpatient surgery centers and the hospital,” said Paula Verrette, MD, Huntington Hospital senior vice president, quality and physician services. “The physicians in our new laborist program will focus solely on providing care to patients in the labor and delivery unit of Huntington Hospital, as well as those facing emergent situations. These physicians provide enhanced coverage and a critical safety net to private OB/GYNs and their patients.”

Huntington Hospital has assembled six outstanding board-certified OB/GYNs to serve in this role: James Barber, MD, Lisa Diaz, MD, Jaime Lopez, MD, George Matsuda, MD, Jane van Dis, MD, and John Wong, MD. The team is lead by Dr. Jane van Dis, a local Altadena resident who also serves as OBHG’s west coast medical director of operations. Dr. Matsuda and Dr. Wong have been on the hospital’s medical staff for many years.

Patients at Huntington Hospital will now be evaluated by emergent-care experienced OB/GYNs and will have immediate access to the best obstetric surgical care possible if emergency life-saving surgeries for mother and baby are necessary. The laborist program offers patients and family member’s peace of mind during one of the most important moments of their lives; when literally a matter of minutes can make a life-saving difference.

In addition to providing patient care, the physicians in the laborist program will serve as in-house back-up for patients wishing to attempt Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) under the supervision of their personal OB/GYN and can serve as assistant surgeons for Huntington’s private OB physicians. They will also lead the labor & delivery unit simulation training for obstetric emergencies – a practice that has proven to decrease morbidity and mortality in life-threatening situations.

About Ob Hospitalist Group

Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) began in 2006 with a vision to elevate the quality and safety of women’s healthcare. Today, Greenville, SC-based OBHG leads the industry in developing and managing on-site OB/GYN hospitalist programs staffed with Board Certified physicians 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In partnership with hospitals, nursing staff, physicians and hospitalists we have developed a unique, comprehensive, financially viable OB/GYN hospitalist program that serves women, newborns, and their families. For further information about Ob Hospitalist Group please visit www.OBHG.com.

About Huntington Hospital

Huntington Hospital, www.HuntingtonHospital.com, is a 625-bed not-for-profit hospital located in Pasadena, California. It has been ranked nationally by U.S. News and World Report in two specialties and was named among the top hospitals in California. The hospital is on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HuntingtonMemorialHospital and on Twitter at @HuntingtonNews.