First Baby born in Mahaska Health Partnership’s new Birthing Center
Lexika Jewell was the first baby born in the new Mahaska Health Partnership Birthing Center. She weighed 7 pounds 2.5 ounces and was 19 inches long. She was delivered by Family Practice Physician Dr. Shawn Richmond who is pictured here with Lexika’s mother, Gillian Hole. Lexika was the first recipient of a Stork Gift Bundle donated by area businesses for the first babies born in each new birthing suite.
MAHASKA COUNTY – Welcome to the world Lexika Jewell, the first baby born in Mahaska Health Partnership’s new Birthing Center and the first recipient of a Stork Gift Bundle.
On September 17, the day the new Birthing Center opened; Lexika was born at 5:29 pm to Gillian Hole of Beacon and her fiancé, Shawn. “I had no idea about the gift bundles but we’re so excited,” Gillian said. “Lexika was eight days overdue so we didn’t think the new area would be open before we had her.”
Lexika has two big brothers waiting for her at home, 16-month-old Bentley and seven-year-old Jaemon. “Dr. Richmond delivered my other two in the old Birthing Center,” Gillian explained. “This new room is so much bigger and brighter, it’s very nice.”
As the first baby born in the new Birthing Center, Lexika was the first recipient of a Stork Gift Bundle. The bundles were assembled through community donations of baby care items, pampering products for mom and gift cards. “Each basket is valued over $900 so we’re very excited to gift them to the first baby born in each of our new suites,” MHP Birthing Center Director Chyann Vroegh said. “In total we have five labor/delivery/ recovery suites and in our first two days being open we’ve already delivered four babies!”
The five new suites have a lot of new features that patients, doctors and nurses will benefit from. “We have all new beds and furniture, flat-screen TVs equipped with AppleTV, internet radios as well as a refrigerator and whirlpool tub in each room. Our doctors and nurses especially like the state-of-the-art fetal monitoring equipment, laser guided ceiling lights and special infant bath sinks,” Vroegh explained.
“It’s a very special time for us at MHP and for every baby born here. We are so appreciative to the community for helping us celebrate,” Vroegh said.
Vroegh wished to express a special thank you to the donors to the Stork Gift Bundles. Purple Partners with a donation valued over $100: America’s Best Value Inn, The Antique Peddler, B&B Bedding, Bank Iowa, The Book Vault, Debbie’s Merle Norman, Edward Jones, Fareway, Gardner Collier Jewelry, Kwik Lube of Oskaloosa, Lifetime Dental Solutions, Mahaska Drug, MidWestOne Bank, Oskaloosa Herald, Ottumwa Radio, Robert Auld Investments, Scentsy (Chris Dickerson), Signatures Home Styles (Alicia Orman), Signatures Salon, Smokey Row Coffee House, Tassel Ridge Winery, Town Crier Advertising and Printing, TruBank, True Value Hardware and William Penn University. Helping Hands with a donation valued at $100 or less: 804 Décor, Alan Adams Photography, Anytime Fitness, Breadeaux Pizza, Brooms, Inc, Clow Valve Company, Edward Jones (Alan B. Fender), Jaarsma Bakery, Maid-Rite, Mary Kay (Sue Miller), Oskaloosa Vision Center, Subway (Oskaloosa) and The Peppertree Restaurant.
The new MHP Birthing Center is located on the north side of campus. It is staffed 24/7 by certified obstetrics nurses who consistently rank in the top 99% for customer satisfaction. The following physicians, located on the MHP campus, deliver babies: OB/GYN Specialist Dr. Jeffrey Fowler and Family Practice Physicians Dr. Shawn Richmond, Dr. Ed Hirl, Dr. Stephen Mineart, Dr. Leigh Gilburn and Dr. Bridget Shariat. For an appointment with any of these providers, please call 641.672.3360.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit www.mahaskahealth.org.
