As a local resident and new writer for Macaroni Kid of Northern & Pascack Valley, I recently had the opportunity to tour the maternity ward of the newly reopened Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley in Westwood.
The new hospital offers a warm and accommodating environment. I was greeted with friendly volunteers at the front desk who offered large smiles and several jars of candy to all visitors.
Lauren Zaccardi Samman, Pascack Valley’s director of marketing and public relations, as well as several extremely knowledgeable registered nurses conducted my tour of the hospital's maternity unit. The unit is nicely done, with soothing low lights and soft colors throughout the wing. In the middle of the wing is a well-maintained courtyard with chairs for patients/visitors to enjoy some fresh air.
The maternity unit offers six Labor and Delivery rooms, 18 post-partum private beds, two well-baby nurseries, a special care nursery, and a Level II NICU. For any more advanced needs, Pascack Valley has a helipad on-site, which can deliver more complicated patients to the main campus in Hackensack within 6 minutes via AirMed One (the hospital’s air medical program). 
According to the nurses, the hospital provides a welcoming environment for patients who prefer natural birthing techniques. It offers a birthing tub to labor in, staff knowledgeable in birthing balls, massage techniques, and the use of walking as a way to sometimes naturally progress labor. The unit also encourages breastfeeding, offering lactation consultants to help new moms. The hospital plans to launch “Mommy University” soon, which will provide classes on baby care, Lamaze, sibling relationships, as well as post-natal support groups for breastfeeding and post-partum depression awareness.
Overall, the community response to Pascack Valley’s reopening has been an extremely positive one. Pascack Valley already has seen two births since its reopening on June 1. And according to Zaccardi Samman, over 600 doctors have applied for privileges, and currently 25 OB/GYN’s (some with in-office midwives) are officially on staff.
Having recently moved with my family to the Pascack Valley region, I am happy to have a welcoming community hospital right down the street.
About the Author
Courtney Tanis-Panaretos is a contributing writer for Macaroni Kid of Northern & Pascack Valley. She recently moved to the Pascack Valley area from Passaic County with her husband and two-year-old son. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Ramapo College and will be working on her Master's in Social Work at Rutgers University.
