HealthPark Medical Center delivered more than 600 babies in January, setting a record for the hospital system
(Fort Myers, Fla. – Feb. 5, 2025) — Southwest Florida is starting off the new year with a record-breaking number of newborn deliveries at HealthPark Medical Center and Cape Coral Hospital.
In total, Lee Health hospitals delivered 771 babies were delivered between the two facilities, which is the most in a single month ever before for the health system.
616 babies were delivered in January at HealthPark Medical Center’s Family Birth Suites, equaling about a kindergarten class being born every day.
In comparison, in December 2024 HealthPark team members delivered 599 babies, and Cape Coral teams welcomed 130 babies.
Another option for expecting parents in Lee County is Cape Coral Hospital, which delivered 147 newborns last month.
In 2024, there were 8,302 delivers at Lee Health, which shows a climb from 2023 when 7,871 deliveries occurred.
“We are thrilled to reach this milestone, and I am proud of everyone on our team who helped make it possible,” said HealthPark Medical Center Chief Nurse Executive Kristie Huff. “This new record shows our commitment to providing exceptional care to newborns and expecting mothers in our community. When patients give birth at one of our hospitals, they know they can expect top-tier and thoughtful services at every stage of the family journey. It is an honor to help care for our growing Southwest Florida community.”
In 2023, HealthPark Medical Center reached a single day milestone with 30 babies delivered in one day. The previous record was 29 babies born in one day in 2021. A typical day consists of 16-17 deliveries, but in January staff experienced many days nearing the 30 baby record.
Both Cape Coral and HealthPark Medical Center hospitals are Baby-Friendly Hospitals that have implemented the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and are compliant with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. The U.S. guidelines and evaluation criteria are based on the global criteria for the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
HealthPark Medical Center features comprehensive OB/GYN services, including an OB emergency room and state-of-the-art Family Birth Suites. It has one of the busiest obstetric units in the state and is co-located within Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, the only children’s hospital in the region. HealthPark Medical Center is also one of 11 hospitals in Florida to be certified as a Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, which includes high-risk obstetrical care, Level II & III Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and Neonatal Transport Teams.
In 2022, Cape Coral Hospital had a first-time cesarean section rate of 13.8%, which is well-below the national benchmark of 23.6% for pregnant women having their first cesarean section. The hospital’s rate was at 31.9% in 2019, decreasing by almost 20 points in 2022.
Cape Coral Hospital offers a family-centered maternity care experience with single-room suites for mothers, where they stay throughout labor and delivery. The facility features state-of-the-art amenities, including birthing tubs, labor balls, and advanced fetal monitoring that allows mobility during labor. Certified breastfeeding counselors and lactation consultants are also available around the clock for support.
To learn more about HealthPark Medical Cener and Cape Coral Hospital, please visit www.leehealth.org.
About Lee Health
Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Health care services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.
