PeaceHealth has remained steadfast in its plan to close the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center in Springfield, at the end of August. Thousands of Lane County residents have petitioned against the move. Now, members of the medical community have added their voices.
Dr. Thomas Ewing has been a physician in Eugene for 30 years and is a long-time supporter of the Birth Center. His son was born there 26 years ago. The family practice physician penned an open letter, urging PeaceHealth to not only keep the Birth Center open but to look for ways to expand the model of care.
“I know that midwifery services, when integrated with the larger medical community, is a very effective and safe way to deliver babies.”
Dr. Ewing says the “high touch, low intervention” practice of the Birth Center midwives helped his wife avoid a C-section.
“Some of the data indicates that C-section rates decline in midwife assisted births.”
The open letter is signed by 26 other local physicians and medical professionals. Dr. Ewing hopes PeaceHealth senior administrators will read it and reconsider.
Reporter’s note: Dr. Thomas Ewing spent 10 years in accountability oversight of the Nurse Midwifery Birth Center when he was Chief Medical Officer at PeaceHealth Medical Group. He is currently Vice President of Medical Services for Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon.
To read the open letter by Dr. Tom Ewing and see the list of 27 undersigned medical professionals:
