Seton Southwest Hospital officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 6 to open the hospital's expanded labor and delivery department.

The $8.2 million expansion, funded by Seton's parent company, Ascension Health, was completed a month early and under budget, hospital vice president and chief operating officer Dr. Mary Faria said. Work began on the project Jan. 4.

Faria thanked architect Audrey Wernecke, general contractor Burt-Watts Industries, Hill Country OB-Gyn, Southwest Pediatric Associates, Pediatrix Medical Group Inc. and Seton staff and volunteers for their efforts. Faria said she was excited for the hospital to help bring more lives into the world.

John Brindley, president/CEO of Seton South Group of hospitals, praised the hospital for its patient care during its 15-year history.

Faria said the hospital had partnered with Southwest Pediatric Associates prior to creating the new Level II neonatal intensive care unit. With the NICU in place, the hospital planned to work with Pediatrix.

Faria honored Southwest Pediatric with a stylized statue, created by an Iowa artist, of an adult with its arm around a child. The practice presented the hospital with a plaque.

Pediatrix's Dr. Todd Scharnberg said he hoped his group will maintain the high standards of quality, safety and patient service set by Southwest Pediatric.

Sister Jean Wesselman DC and Monsignor Oliver Johnson offered blessings at the beginning and end of the ceremony, respectively.

The expansion adds:

• 8,400 square feet of space;
• a Level II NICU;
• three new Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum rooms, bringing the total to nine;
• two antepartum rooms;
• six postpartum rooms;
• a covered drop-off area for the hospital's emergency room;
• a walkway that will feature community art; and
• new building signage.

The expansion also renovates 2,500 square feet of existing space and brings the department's total number of beds to 33 from 17, Faria said.