Tacoma, Wash.-based CHI Franciscan Health and Seattle-based Virginia Mason Medical Center plan to open and jointly operate a birthing center in Seattle.
The birthing center, which will be on the 14th floor of Virginia Mason's Jones Pavilion, will offer an obstetrics program with inpatient birth and nursery services. The collaborative will connect patients with providers, certified midwives and other specialists from the two health systems.
"Seattle continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, and we’re committed to ensuring our communities have access to the highest quality care and services," said Ketul Patel, CEO of CHI Franciscan Health. "Partnering with Virginia Mason to open a new birth center will meet the growing need for obstetrics care that families deserve and expect."
Pending approval by the Washington Health Department, the center is slated to open in 2020.