MORRISVILLE – Copley Hospital officially shuttered the doors to its Birthing Center on November 1. Babies will continue to be born at the hospital only on an emergency basis.
As reported in the Nov. 6 issue of the Hardwick Gazette, Elora Mae Kish was the last baby born at Copley Hospital to parents Daniel and Lauren (Holt) Kish of East Hardwick.
Speaking to Aaron Calvin of the News & Citizen, new mother Kish lauded the center staff, “The midwives were just like so, so devoted to just making the care incredibly special and individualized, and it’s really, really sad to see all of that kind of come to a close,” the new mother said through tears. “But I’m really grateful that we were able to have our experience there.””
For pregnant patients in the area seeking prenatal and post natal care, there is a limited choice between Central Vermont Medical Center located in Berlin, and University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington or Northern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury.
In an effort to fill some of the gaps this loss will leave, emergency room staff and area EMTs have been preparing to deliver more babies. Emergency room doctors have undergone training with practitioners from UVM Health, as well as from the nurse midwives.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
