History

Birth & Women's Health Center
2595 N. Wyatt Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85712
Phone: 520-795-9912
Fax: 520-795-9934

History

In 1982, two Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), Kathryn Schrag and Mariann Shinoskie, joined together to open Arizona's first freestanding birth center. John N. Vrtiska, MD was our consulting obstetrician/gynecologist and continues to be a vital part of this practice. From 1986-1989 the Birth Center was a part of Thomas Davis Medical Center. We then became a private OB/GYN and Nurse Midwifery/Nurse Practitioner practice and became Birth & Women's Health Center, which moved locations to be adjacent to Tucson Medical Center. In 1998, we joined several other OB/GYNs to become Associates in Women's Health Care, LLC.

In May of 2002, Associates in Women's Health Care (AWHC), the parent organization of the Birth Center, announced their decision to abruptly discontinue midwifery services and the Birth Center option due to financial concerns. The response from patients, staff and the community at large was swift and of one voice: Tucson needs its Birth Center. There has to be a way. The Foundation for Women's Health and Wellness committed itself to the goal of reopening the Center as a nonprofit entity.

That summer was a frenzy of activity. Several of the nurse-midwives incorporated as a private practice to continue midwifery services, with all births taking place at Tucson Medical Center. AWHC offered to continue being the collaborating physicians, to continue malpractice insurance and managed care contracts for the CNMs, and to provide three months of rent-free space at the Birth Center for the CNM practice.

The Foundation launched an emergency fundraising campaign and solicited over $20,000 in donations. An active volunteer program was established to assist the midwifery practice and Foundation. The Center was reopened on Labor Day 2002. Since that time, the Center was greatly sustained by the need, commitment, and generosity of the community. Changing the business status to not-for-profit opened our doors to a new type of partnership with the community. We needed them as much as they needed us.

Through becoming a nonprofit agency the Birth Center became even more deeply committed to preserving and promoting holistic health care options for all women. An outreach campaign began in 2003 to promote healthy pregnancies and early prenatal care to uninsured women. A grant was funded through the Pima County Health Department allowing us to provide prenatal care to women who would not have otherwise had access to care. This began the implementation of Group Prenatal Care, also called Centering, at the Birth Center.

Facing astounding malpractice rates again in 2005 the Birth Center was forced to search for partnering options to keep our doors open. The search continued for over one year and in April 2007, the center became part of El Rio Community Health Center. This partnership brought together two nonprofit organizations serving the health care needs of the Tucson community, specifically the uninsured and underinsured. El Rio's status as a federally qualified health center places us under the umbrella of Federal Torts Claims Act and relinquished the need for the Birth Center to hold privately purchased medical malpractice insurance.

El Rio Community Health Center, now in their 38th year, is the largest provider in Pima County of medical and dental services to uninsured and Medicaid populations, as well as those with private medical insurance. El Rio has more than 15 clinic sites serving over 80,000 patients a year. The pairing of the Birth Center with El Rio was natural for another reason, they are home to the oldest midwifery practice in Tucson, established in 1978. El Rio has supported midwifery in Tucson for decades; with this collaboration they have strengthened their commitment to women by allowing the birthing center option to be available to ALL Tucson's families.

We are one of the few remaining licensed and accredited freestanding birth centers in the entire state. We serve women from communities throughout Southern Arizona, with some of our patients traveling for hours to receive the unique services we offer. Our commitment to keeping birth safe and natural and our alliance with El Rio has made this possible. We are accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers. We are licensed by Arizona Department of Heath Services. Over 8000 families have given birth with us since our beginning in 1982.

Our facility includes space for office visits, as well as a place to give birth. The Birth Center was designed to offer families the comfort and privacy of home along with safety and security. There are three spacious birthing rooms with deep tubs and a Jacuzzi especially designed for water births. In addition, there are outdoor patios, a kitchen/dining area and a family room. We are located less than three minutes from Tucson Medical Center. Should you need or choose to give birth in a hospital, you will be admitted to TMC where you will be cared for by our CNMs and consulting physicians.