Originally published in the Williamson Herald —

Julie Miller remembers what it’s like to be a new mother. 

The excitement and joy, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and needs — and those memories have helped to fuel her passion for the new postpartum unit at Williamson Medical Center (WMC), part of the massive $200 million renovation and expansion project now underway at the hospital with Miller overseeing the day-to-day work.

“I think everyone has something to bring to the table in a project of this scope,” said Miller, the chief operating officer (COO) at WMC. “But women sometimes focus on patients’ needs a little differently — especially new moms’ and babies’ needs — because of our own personal experience.”

Miller is just one member of a diverse team of women — ranging from construction personnel and designers to administrators, fundraisers and medical staff — who have helped bring the hospital’s new postpartum unit to life. While the women have shaped each stage of the historic renovation and expansion project underway at WMC, the updates to the OB department were a labor of love as the women worked on behalf of fellow women. 

With the new postpartum opening this week, the women shared a few thoughts about the project, their contributions and why it all matters. 

Bringing everyone to the table

The Williamson Health administration, led by Chief Executive Officer Phil Mazzuca, recognized that to fulfill WMC’s mission to provide exceptional health care close to home, the hospital would need to grow alongside Williamson County and the communities it serves. 

As COO, Miller has served as the day-to-day point person on the massive expansion and renovation project since Day 1, connecting with architects, planning user group meetings, and working with the plant operation manager to keep the construction project on track and under budget. But creating a space that benefitted both patients and staff meant bringing together a wide variety of voices to speak into the project. 

“For a project of this size, it’s important to bring everyone to the table and really listen,” Miller said. “Our physicians and nurses, respiratory therapists, anesthesiologists, environmental services and our staff — they are the feet on the ground, and it’s vital that we listen to their input.” 

With a crucial role to play in the project, the Williamson Health Foundation had a key seat at the table. 

“When the vision for this project was revealed, Williamson Health Foundation launched its second-ever capital campaign,” said Leigh Williams, executive director of the Williamson Health Foundation. “This is the largest, most transformational project we have ever undertaken, and it broadens our ability to fulfill our mission as Williamson Health.”

As executive director of the Williamson Health Foundation, Williams’ role is to secure philanthropic support for the project, working alongside “More for You. Close to Home.” capital campaign co-chairs Caroline Bryan and Vicki McNamara. 

“Williamson Medical Center is where our children were born, and we’ve received care there many times, from doctors’ appointments and ER visits to surgeries. It’s an exceptional hospital that feels like home,” said Bryan, wife of country music star Luke Bryan, who serves as an honorary co-chair. “Williamson Medical Center has cared for our family and now we have the opportunity to help them expand to care for the growing community.”

McNamara, the wife of Dr. Michael McNamara, a Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee physician, shared Bryan’s excitement for the project and wanted to play an integral role in making it a reality. 

“As the wife of a doctor who has been practicing for 40 years, I’ve learned all too well the ins and outs of health care and how important it is for hospital staff to not only be highly skilled and compassionate but to also be well-equipped with the technology they need to effectively serve their patients,” McNamara said. “This is the most ambitious undertaking in our history, and I’m thrilled to partner with Williamson Health to get this done.”

Women Helping Women

For the health care providers at WMC, the updates to the Obstetrics (OB) Unit are another way to intentionally care for and invest in the lives of their patients. These updates include fully renovated and expanded Labor, Delivery and Recovery (LDR) rooms, relocating the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to its own secure wing and the new 11-bed postpartum unit and newborn nursery that opens this week. 

Heather Rupe, M.D., WMC chief of staff, was excited to offer insight into the renovations. 

“Childbirth, specifically the postpartum period, is critical in the physical and mental health of the new mom,” Dr. Rupe said. “This new expansion will give us additional education and postpartum support areas.”

Physicians, nurses and medical staff have met with architects, weighing in on the look, feel and design of the spaces and helping create designs that meet the needs of both families and health care providers.

“Having delivered three children of my own — one here at WMC — and being at the delivery of multiple grandchildren, I have been able to provide input as a mother and grandmother,” said Lori Orme, RN, and Williamson Health’s Chief Nursing Officer. “As an RN, I’ve been able to speak into the clinical aspects needed by the staff and OB physicians.” 

Lynn Ellington, M.D., an OB physician at WMC, was thrilled to think about the families who will soon benefit from the modernized spaces as they celebrate one of life’s most transformative experiences: the birth of a child. 

“My favorite part of the Labor & Delivery expansion has been to walk the halls and see the furnished rooms awaiting the first new moms to use them,” Dr. Ellington said. “The women, children and families will benefit from the increased number of rooms, increased size and amenities of the postpartum rooms as well as increased privacy and space in the new NICU.” 

Creating the design

Hayleigh Engelhardt, a member of the interior design team at ESa, the Nashville architecture firm behind the historic expansion and renovation project, is passionate about health care and serving others. She’s seen those passions unite as she’s worked with the WMC team to design the updated LDR spaces. 

“I can relate to the women who visit these spaces,” Engelhardt said. “New parents and their growing families deserve a positive patient experience and should be met with minimal stress, a factor that can be largely impacted by the built environment. Direct wayfinding, emphasis on nursing stations, a soothing color palette and layouts that highlight patient wellbeing will benefit the women of Williamson County and their families.”

Engelhardt and her team emphasized a mix of organic textures and serene colors in patient rooms, designed to reduce stress. Gray wood tones and clean lines serve to modernize the space, while updated lighting and patient headwalls aid in delivery and comfort. 

“Health care is rapidly changing, which means that design is rapidly changing along with it,” Engelhardt said. “I am proud to have taken part in designing a facility that will assist in patient healing as well as bring comfort to the Williamson Health staff who work so tirelessly to offer world-class care close to home.” 

Kennedy May, a superintendent with JE Dunn, the construction company for the project, was responsible for managing and coordinating the work and the team for the expansion. She said the updates to LDR and the new postpartum unit will create a better experience for patients and staff. 

“These spaces were all built with the input from the staff at WMC so that they can provide the best care possible to the community while creating a more enjoyable experience for families,” she said. 

The new LDR and postpartum rooms are larger, offering more space for partners and family members to visit. There’s desk space and Wi-Fi, if family members need to get a little work done in the time leading up to or following the birth, and a “mom-friendly” bathroom featuring a walk-in shower, sink, toilet and shelves. 

The rooms also feature state-of-the-art TVs that double as electronic whiteboards, making it easy for families to cast their favorite audio content to the TV. The brand-new nursery boasts an oversized viewing window, complete with a step for younger visitors, private lactation spaces for nursing mothers as well as enhanced education spaces. 

Outlining the benefits

The benefits of the historic expansion are easy to see, according to WMC’s medical staff and administrators. 

“The labor and delivery staff are truly amazing in the quality of compassionate care they provide,” Dr. Rupe said. “We have grown our unit steadily over the past 15 years as we dreamed about and planned for this expansion.” 

Nancy Osburn, M.D., and Jennifer Harless, R.N., anticipate even more far-reaching benefits that stem from updates.

“Most often, a family’s first encounter with a hospital stay is the birth of a baby, and this is often the deciding factor on where future health care will be received,” said Harless, who currently serves as the director for perinatal as well as the NICU. “These updates ensure we make a great first impression.” 

Osburn, who has served as the chair of the perinatal department since 2016, agreed. 

“Women typically drive where a family goes for health care,” Dr. Osburn said. “This project allows us to showcase the type of top-notch care patients receive at WMC and helps area residents to see that we’re not a small-town hospital anymore.” 

“With this expansion,” Dr. Ellington concurred, “many more women are going to realize they don’t have to drive to Nashville for the best birthing experience. We have always had incredible nurses and staff at WMC, and our updated and expanded facilities match that level of excellence.” 

To learn more about the project or to donate, visit wmcfoundation.com.

Favorite things

Some of the women behind WMC’s massive expansion and renovation shared a few of their favorite things about the project. 

“I’m proud of how quickly it’s come together. A little over a year ago we broke ground, and we will soon be moving in! I love how the community has supported us.” —Dr. Heather Rupe, Chief of Staff

“I love the smiles when the doctors and staff see the new unit. They are so excited to be able to practice in such a beautiful and serene environment.” —Lori Orme, Chief Nursing Officer

“I am honored to have helped pave the way for future expansion across the campus and to allow for Williamson Health to continue to grow and adapt to the ever-changing health care model.” —Hayleigh Engelhardt, interior designer, ESa

“It’s so rewarding to see the completion of this beautiful unit after so many years of planning.” —Dr. Nancy Osburn, OB physician

“I have loved celebrating milestones in this project, like the topping-off ceremony and the ribbon-cuttings and now the opening of the new postpartum unit. You can get weary in the middle of a big project like this, and these celebrations keep you going and get the community and staff excited.” —Julie Miller, COO, Williamson Health

“I’m proud that I’ve been able to serve the community and county in which I live with a beautiful new space.” —Jennifer Harless, director of perinatal and NICU

“This was my first project start-to-finish as a superintendent, so I am very proud to see it all the hard work come together. I learned a lot through this process and I’m excited to take these lessons learned and the confidence gained to future projects.” —Kennedy May, superintendent, JE Dunn

“I’m excited that we are giving pregnant women a state-of-the-art facility with a separate entrance to the unit. A separate entry makes the experience more pleasant, gives faster access and allows patients to avoid potential exposure to sick patients.” —Dr. Lynn Ellington, OB physician

“Many of our staff have long tenures with Williamson Health, and they provide excellent care. Now, the families of Williamson County will have more ways to describe the excellent care they receive because the beautiful outside will match the beautiful people inside.” —Leigh Williams, executive director, Williamson Health Foundation