In order to enhance continuity in obstetrical services in Franklin County, Northwestern Medical Center will employ two local obstetricians and has entered into a contract with the third. As of January 1, 2010, Dr. Elisabeth Fontaine and Dr. Lowery Sullivan will be employees of NMC for obstetrical services, while continuing their private gynecology practice, Green Mountain OB/GYN. Dr. Leonard Tremblay now has a contract with NMC for obstetrical call coverage and will maintain his private gynecology practice, Healthy First.
“This new working relationship is all about consistency,” said Dr. Sullivan. “It provides a more coordinated group approach for patients. In addition, it improves our sustainability moving forward.”
“With this new arrangement, we are able to provide better predictability for our patients as well as for ourselves as physicians,” said Dr. Fontaine. “I think it will be very helpful.”
Dr. Fontaine and Dr. Sullivan will be providing prenatal care and deliveries as NMC employees in the new arrangement. The three physicians will share obstetrical call coverage as they have in the past. Prenatal visits will continue to be conducted at the Green Mountain OB/GYN office in the Doctors Office Common in St. Albans. Patients will now receive bills under the name of Northwestern Medical Center for those visits and their deliveries, rather than under the name of Green Mountain OB/GYN or Healthy First.
“Our community is fortunate to have these talented, respected Obstetricians,” said Jill Bowen, NMC’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased be able to help secure their ongoing service to continue to deliver babies on our Family Birth Center.”
Also delivering babies on NMC’s Family Birth Center are Family Practice physicians Dr. Toby Sadkin and Dr. Stewart Manchester of St. Albans Primary Care. Approximately 450 babies per year are delivered on NMC’s Family Birth Center, which is located by itself on the second floor of the hospital and features the availability of private rooms. The Family Birth Center’s nursing staff is part of the NMC team which has been recognized for two years in a row with a national award from Avatar for overall patient satisfaction.
