The director of labor and delivery at Staten Island University Hospital’s cutting-edge Women and Newborn Center describes how a deeply human, patient-first approach is shaping a new standard of maternal care in the borough.

BY AMANDA McCOY  •  PHOTOS BY AMESSE PHOTOGRAPHY

For Peter Guirguis, MD, the path to obstetrics and gynecology wasn’t necessarily linear – but in hindsight, it makes perfect sense. A Brooklyn native who spent his childhood immersed in team sports, Dr. Guirguis was drawn early on to the urgency and teamwork of emergency care. He began his medical journey as an EMT right after college, where he thrived on the adrenaline, stabilizing patients in critical moments. But once the patient left his care, Dr. Guirguis found himself lingering on a question he wasn’t ready to leave behind: what happened next?

That curiosity ultimately led him to medical school at SUNY Upstate, where he initially planned to pursue emergency medicine. It wasn’t until a rotation in obstetrics and gynecology that everything shifted. Witnessing his first delivery – and the immediate emotional connection between mother and child – was a turning point for the young physician. “I didn’t pick it, it picked me,” said Dr. Guirguis, describing a specialty that offered not just intensity, but continuity: the ability to build trust and guide patients through one of the most defining and transformative moments of their lives.

Now, more than 15 years into his medical career, Dr. Guirguis has brought that full-spectrum philosophy to Staten Island University Hospital, where he currently serves as director of labor and delivery in the hospital’s new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center. After years in private practice – delivering babies in both Brooklyn and Staten Island – he joined SIUH in 2025, drawn by what he described as a forward-thinking, patient-centered vision that closely aligns with his own.

“I wanted to work with a trusted, known entity where I could grow, one that places focus on the patient first,” noted Dr. Guirguis, who was appointed director in March after serving as the interim director for six months. “SIUH was the perfect fit; the hospital has big ideas and big plans that are only going to help the borough and Staten Island community.”

The Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center was a groundbreaking endeavor for SIUH, a $200 million investment into modernizing the birthing environment for the roughly 3,000 babies delivered at the hospital every year. Spanning 50,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility was designed not just for clinical excellence, but to elevate the childbirth experience. The goal, Dr. Guirguis explained, is twofold: deliver the safest possible care for mothers and babies while creating a supportive, nurturing environment.

From the moment patients arrive, the difference is palpable. The space is bright and airy, with high ceilings and a hospitality-driven approach that reimagines the traditional labor and delivery experience. Patients are greeted, guided, and continuously informed, with family members welcomed into the process. “Communication is critical,” Dr. Guirguis noted. “We make sure the patient never feels alone or anxious. They are informed of everything that’s happening, step by step. It’s a true team approach.”

The facility’s layout is both strategic and thoughtful. Operating rooms are centrally located for rapid response in the case of an emergency, and an experienced physician is on-site 24/7 to provide an added layer of safety. There are 12 private labor and delivery rooms, each spanning 350 square feet and finished with large windows for ample natural light, plus birthing tools, private en-suite bathrooms, and overnight accommodations for partners that go far beyond a simple chair.

“The design is exceptionally well thought out,” explained Dr. Guirguis. “For spouses or partners, there’s a pull-out sofa bed, and every patient has a private restroom. After delivery, every single postpartum room is also private – a rarity in New York City. This privacy creates a feeling of intimacy for the mother, her partner, and their newborn, decreasing anxiety and forming a family-centered experience.”

One of the center’s standout innovations is wireless fetal monitoring, which allows patients to move freely during labor – walking, sitting, or using a birthing ball – without being tethered to a bed. It’s a small shift with a significant impact, empowering women to retain their autonomy throughout the labor process.

For Dr. Guirguis, innovation isn’t just about technology – it’s about mindset. “We put the mom first, that’s the innovation,” he said. “Knowing that you are in a clean, state-of-the-art facility where providers and nurses come up to you with a smile and want to hear your opinion makes all the difference. Our nurses are truly incredible. They are compassionate, capable, and the backbone of this facility. Our anesthesia team is also exceptional. An obstetric anesthesiologist meets with every patient early in the process to answer any questions and understand her goals, whether she is planning on an epidural or not. That comforts patients.”

Looking ahead, the team is continuously evaluating outcomes, analyzing data, and refining processes with a singular goal: improvement. The proof is on paper; since the center opened last May, patient experience scores have skyrocketed, but as Dr. Guirguis noted, the work is never done. “We have a wonderful team who all work together to look at every aspect of the care process and ask ourselves how we can make it even better. How can we ensure patients – mom, partner, and baby – feel supported?”

In addition to his administrative duties, Dr. Guirguis still maintains an active practice, seeing patients three days per week across the full spectrum of OB/GYN care, from routine gynecology and pregnancy care to specialized treatment for complex conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, polyps, and more. As a father of daughters himself, he sees his work in women’s health as deeply personal.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about trust,” said Dr. Guirguis, who now calls Staten Island home along with his wife, two daughters, and son. “Having a family trust me and the facility with one of the most important moments of their lives – that’s the greatest satisfaction. I, and the entire team, take this responsibility very seriously.”

Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center at SIUH  —  siuh.northwell.edu/obgyn/obstetrics