At Saint Mary’s, the birth of a child is a cherished moment—one we are honored to support and celebrate with families across the River Valley. As we celebrate our 100th anniversary, we remain deeply committed to delivering babies at Saint Mary’s for the next 100 years and beyond.

In the spirit of transparency and respect for our patients, we want to address some questions and concerns circulating in the community about our labor and delivery program and provide clear, accurate information about what’s changing and what’s not.

Three of our long-serving OB/GYN physicians are making professional changes. Dr. David Nelson and Dr. Michael Escue will be departing at the end of the year, and Dr. Cristina Clark will complete her service in February 2026 as they transition to new opportunities out of the area.

We thank them for their many years of service to this community and wish them the very best in their next chapters.

What This Means for Our Labor & Delivery Services

Saint Mary’s Labor & Delivery Unit remains fully open, operational and committed to providing exceptional care. Nothing is changing for patients delivering at our hospital.

Dr. Suzanna Chatterjee-Morris, an independent provider, will continue delivering babies at Saint Mary’s. In addition, we’ve secured board-certified call coverage and carefully selected providers to ensure seamless care for deliveries and OB emergencies. These professionals have pledged their support throughout this transition and share our dedication to serving women and families in the River Valley.

Planning for the Future

Behind the scenes, we have been hard at work developing a forward-thinking women’s health model that will bring together a broader team of providers, including:

• Certified Nurse Midwives
• Family Practice Physicians Providing Obstetric Care
• Nurse Practitioners Specializing in Women’s Health

We wanted to ensure that our current patients were the first to be informed directly. Now that these conversations have begun, we are committed to keeping our community updated every step of the way.

Reaffirming Our Commitment

Birth is at the heart of our story at Saint Mary’s. We’ve proudly delivered generations of babies in this region, and we will continue to do so. Our Labor & Delivery nurses and care teams—many of whom have served this community for years—are here, ready to welcome new life with compassion and skill.

If you have questions or would like help navigating your care options during this time of transition, please contact us directly. Your trust means everything to us, and we’re here to support you.

Saint Mary’s is here—for you, for your family, and for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Casey Willis, CEO