Burgess to Close Obstetrics Department

Burgess Health Center will be closing the obstetrics department, Family Beginnings, on December 31, 2021. The closure is a joint decision made between the team of providers at Family Medicine Clinic (FMC) and the Burgess Health Center board of trustees.

The leadership team, board of trustees, and physicians devoted serious time reviewing and deliberating the obstetrics services to determine what restructuring is necessary to ensure Burgess continues to offer high quality, effective and efficient healthcare services for the communities we serve.

“This decision is no reflection upon the quality of care delivered to our Family Beginnings patients by our OB physicians and nurses,” stated Carl Behne, CEO of Burgess Health Center. “Over the last 5 to 7 years, we have seen a trend in low patient volumes, and the ability to attract and retain appropriate nursing talent has caused years of increased and costly contract nursing labor.”

Burgess Health Center and Family Medicine Clinic providers will continue to provide obstetrical services, such as labs, ultrasounds, and emergency visits. Mother and newborn care will continue to be provided at all FMC and Burgess Family Clinics.  FMC will work with each expectant mother to provide a smooth transition to an OB provider at a facility of her choice. Together with FMC, we will work with Dr. Hamburger, Siouxland Women’s Healthcare P.C., to see expectant mothers in the OB/GYN specialty clinic at Burgess.

“We will use this opportunity to focus on the preventative care and health needs of our communities and continuity of care for emergent situations that may arise with a mom and unborn baby,” said Paul Dudley, MD at Family Medicine Clinic.

“As health care continues to face challenges, we are making decisions that will strengthen our organization, enable us to better serve patients in the future, and allow us to continue to provide quality care for our communities,” adds Behne.