ST. FRANCIS HIRES DIRECTOR FOR ITS OBSTETRICS UNIT

A Brooklyn, N.Y., native with more than 30 years of nursing experience will guide St. Francis Medical Center's new obstetrics ward through construction, equipping, staffing and beyond.

Jane Stuart, 55, was chosen by medical center officials as director of its new obstetrics unit.

"There are very few opportunities for an obstetrics nurse," Stuart said. "This is a good opportunity. It's an ideal situation, and it's actually giving birth to a program."

Stuart has experience in maternal and child health, including nursery, patient education, childbirth education, lactation, staff development and staff training.

She said she is excited about her new role at St. Francis and is eager to see plans for the medical center's "pregnancy" get underway.

"It is like a pregnancy. There are all these planning stages -- equipment has to be purchased, rooms have to be set up, policies and procedures have to be written, staff has to be hired and trained," she said.

"There is lots of planning to do. A pregnancy takes time. We're doing all the groundwork so that we have a fruitful pregnancy."

Jeannie Fadler, vice president for patient care at St. Francis, said the staff is glad to have Stuart on board.

"We're very fortunate to have Jane come here because of her experience and background," Fadler said. "She's everything we hoped for. Jane has it all."

Stuart said her nursing philosophy revolves around the needs of the patient.

"Women have very different ideas of what they want," Stuart said. "As long as those ideas are safe for the patient, the baby and the institution, they should be able to do what they want. We want to make it a memorable experience."