STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL’S DIRECTOR OF LABOR AND DELIVERY IS RESHAPING MATERNAL CARE ON STATEN ISLAND, ALONG WITH THE UNVEILING OF A NEW WOMEN AND NEWBORN CENTER

BY AMANDA McCOY PHOTOS BY AMESSE PHOTOGRAPHY

For Carol M. Russell, DO, Staten Island native, seasoned obstetrician gynecologist, and mother of two, joining Staten Island University Hospital felt like a return to her roots. From her early days as a candy striper at SIUH to establishing herself as an OB-GYN hospitalist in New Jersey, she always remained connected to her hometown. So, after running a private practice for nearly a decade and raising a family, the opportunity to lead SIUH’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology felt like a natural fit.

With the hospital poised to introduce groundbreaking advancements in maternal and newborn care, Dr. Russell whole-heartedly embraced her new role, eager to contribute to the well-being of fellow Staten Islanders. “The vision and commitment of SIUH to enhance labor and delivery services for Staten Island’s women deeply resonated with me,” said Dr. Russell, noting the pressing need for OB-GYN services on Staten Island as its population continues to grow.

Over the past few decades, the traditional approach to childbirth has undergone a significant transformation. In 2017, the World Health Organization introduced updated guidelines emphasizing the importance of a woman’s positive birthing experience in ensuring top-tier labor and childbirth care. Aligning with this progressive outlook, the new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center was designed to provide a modernized space tailored to contemporary birthing practices.

This spring, SIUH unveiled the new center, a $200 million initiative over a decade in the making. Located atop the hospital’s new central utility plant, the 50,000-square-foot facility grants more space for delivery, labor, and maternity services, allowing the hospital to deliver up to 1,000 additional babies annually. The facility boasts ten spacious, state-of-the art labor rooms on the delivery wing, equipped with ample space to accommodate various monitoring equipment for mothers and babies alike. Additionally, the postpartum floor houses 30 private rooms, a rarity in New York City hospitals, elevating patient comfort and privacy. Plans are also underway to enhance the neonatal intensive care unit in the coming year.

“The center is beautiful, and it has much more of everything,” said Dr. Russell. “Patients are right at our fingertips with quiet, spacious private rooms with amenities like private bathrooms, showers, and huge windows to make the patient and their family feel most comfortable.”

Dr. Russell also mentioned the evolving practices in the delivery room. “Gone are the days when women were confined to their beds upon admission, unable to move or hydrate,” she explained, noting that SIUH embraces a more patient-centric approach, encouraging mobility during labor and offering options for women to adopt positions that suit their comfort. “While steak and eggs might not be on the menu [chuckles], the medical community’s shift towards empowering patients with greater autonomy over their delivery process marks a significant step forward in enhancing the birthing experience.”

Highlighting the hospital’s comprehensive approach to medical education, Dr. Russell gave a nod to the outstanding quality of SIUH’s residency training program: “With a focus on gyneco logical surgery and seamless management of labor and delivery, the residents exhibit remarkable competence. SIUH prides itself on catering to all pregnancies, including those complicated by conditions such as kidney infections, asthma exacerbations, or gestational diabetes.”

SIUH’s distinction as a Center of Excellence recognized by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) speaks to its commitment to patient care. Dr. Russell explained that the obstetric attendings regularly engage in simulation medicine, ensuring they remain adept in managing critical scenarios like hemorrhages or perinatal asphyxia.

“Bringing new life into this world is a sacred journey, and our commitment as obstetricians is to provide not just medical care, but unwavering support and reassurance,” said Dr. Russell, noting that every expectant parent deserves to feel safe, empowered, and cherished throughout their labor and delivery. “My team ensures that every birth is not just a moment, but a cherished memory of strength, comfort, and joy.”

Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center

475 Seaview avenue

718.226.6550 / siuh.northwell.edu/obgyn