MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. – Families who welcomed their children into the world during the first year of maternity services at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast recently reunited to celebrate the Family Birth Place’s first birthday party.

Zoie Pierce, the first child born at the Family Birth Place on Sept. 4, 2007, ran into the party to join the other babies and families gathered at the celebration, including Marshall and Layla Vess, the first set of twins.

“It was so rewarding to see the families return to the Family Birth Place to interact with each other and to reconnect with the staff members who served them during their hospital stay,” said Gina Gelormini, Family Birth Place manager. “I am truly honored to be part of this program and to have the opportunity to touch so many families in our community.”

Since the opening of the Family Birth Place last September, over 600 babies have been born at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. The Family Birth Place team is dedicated to providing family-centered maternity care, which focuses on family interaction, patient safety and education.

“The addition of the Family Birth Place brought a new dimension to our hospital and to our community, creating access to high quality, compassionate childbirth services closer to home,” said Roger Hall, president of Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. “Our healthcare family is truly blessed to be able share in the miracle of birth, both now and for generations to come.”

Three obstetricians and gynecologists currently deliver babies at the Family Birth Place, including Dr. Melinda Graham and Dr. Tamara Petrac with Sacred Heart Medical Group, and Dr. Jennifer Esses with Women and Children First. The Family Birth Place offers a variety of childbirth and parenting education classes, including breastfeeding classes, Dr. Harvey Karp’s Happiest Baby class, a super siblings class, and much more. Tours of the Family Birth Place are available on Monday evenings at 6 p.m.

For more information about the Family Birth Place, please call (850) 278-3600 or visit www.sacredheartemerald.org.
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