Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket is opening a maternal fetal medicine clinic, a first-of-its-kind program in York Region, to bring specialized care for high-risk pregnancies closer to families in northern York Region and southern Simcoe County.
With a dedicated interprofessional team of obstetricians and nurses, families facing high-risk pregnancies will no longer need to travel to Toronto or Barrie for comprehensive maternal-fetal care services, including early risk screening, according to a Southlake news release.
The new maternal fetal medicine clinic builds on existing services, partnering with maternal fetal medicine specialists Dr. Howard Berger and Dr. Alexandra Berezowsky, who will lead the clinic. Expectant mothers will have local access to maternal fetal medicine specialists and advanced technologies, ensuring timely evaluation, personalized care plans, and continuous support through every stage of pregnancy, the hospital stated.
The new clinic will also offer the latest in diagnostic and interventional techniques, including advanced ultrasounds and early screening for conditions that may pose a risk to both mother and baby.
"High-risk pregnancies require specialized monitoring and care, and having access to these services locally can make all the difference,” said Dr. Berger, head of maternal fetal medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital. “By offering these services in Newmarket, we are ensuring that patients can receive the highest level of care tailored to their unique needs, including expert evaluation and management without the added burden of travelling long distances.”
Expectant mothers can contact their local obstetrician or gynecologist for referral to the clinic.
“Our team’s commitment to bringing advanced maternal fetal medicine to our community is driven by a vision to ensure that all families have access to specialized care, especially in high-risk situations,” said Puneet Sandhu, director of surgery and maternal child at Southlake. “This clinic is a testament to the dedication and expertise of everyone at Southlake who worked tirelessly to bring these vital services closer to home for families.”
Every year, more than 2,600 babies are born at Southlake, the hospital stated.
“For 100 years, Southlake has proudly cared for the next generation of families, serving as a trusted partner for countless mothers in their journey to welcoming new life,” said Dr. Peter Watt, physician leader of the maternal child program at Southlake. “We are thrilled to continue this legacy with our new maternal fetal medicine clinic that will ensure expectant mothers and their families have access to expert, leading-edge care, close to home.”
