Stevenson Memorial Hospital is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its midwifery partnership with Alliston Midwives – Caring Hands Midwifery Services.
Hospital staff, members of the original midwifery team, local dignitaries, clients and families gathered this week to recognize the milestone, which coincided with International Day of the Midwife last week.
The partnership began in 1996 after Ontario passed legislation allowing midwifery services in 1994. The first birth attended by a midwife at Stevenson Memorial Hospital took place on September 26th, 1996. Since then, the hospital says nearly 5,000 births have been delivered through the program, with about half of all births at the hospital involving the midwifery team. The program has since expanded to eight midwives on staff.
Hospital officials say the partnership brings together midwives, nurses and obstetricians in a collaborative care model focused on supporting birthing parents and families close to home.
In 2024, the partnership also expanded through the launch of the MINT program (Midwifery Integration in New Tecumseth), a postpartum support program offering breastfeeding assistance, newborn care and mental health services through the hospital’s obstetrics clinic.
“Our integrated midwifery-hospital partnership is unique and such a valued service for our community,” says SMH Vice President Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive Marnie Lightfoot.
“We are proud to partner with Stevenson Memorial Hospital, working alongside such a professional and supportive team,” adds Lead Midwife Holly Ryans.
More information about the hospital’s midwifery clinic can be found here.
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