March of Dimes recognizes Center for Women & Mount St. Mary's for excellence

Reduces rate of cesarean births

Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and its Center for Women recently was lauded by the March of Dimes for decreasing its caesarean section rate from 40% in 2014 to 33% in 2018.

Faced with an increasing percentage of births being performed in a surgical delivery by C-section, and its potential negative impact on the health of the baby, the March of Dimes initiated a program titled, “Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait,” in 2014.

In collaboration with the New York State Department of Health, local hospitals and providers, emphasis was placed on the prevention of pre-term births, with a focus on decreasing preventable preterm birth.

Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and its Center for Women participated in the program.

“We commend your hospital for the efforts it has undertaken to reduce cesarean births among low-risk, first-time mothers,” said Gregory Young ME, western region medical director for the New York State Department of Health; and Darcy Dreyer, director of maternal and child health for the March of Dimes, in a joint statement.

Mount St. Mary’s Hospital President and CEO Gary Tucker credited the staff and provider team at the Center for Women for the initiative. This includes providers Dr. Joseph Andrzejewski, OB/GYN; Dr. Gianna McEvoy, OB/GYN; Dr. Rachel Weselak, OB/GYN; Dr. Mark Weissman, OB/GYN; Dr. Judy Wesolowski, GYN; Andrea Rosati, NP; and Vicki Wlock, NP. Staff leadership includes Maryann Cogdill, RN, BSN, director of maternity services; and Karen Conlon, RN, manager of maternity services.

The Mount St. Mary’s team will be recognized at an event in Niagara Falls on July 31.