For 67 years, dedicated staff cared for generations of ‘new’ Hastings residents

By John McLoone

It was only fitting that one of the last babies born at the Hastings Regina Hospital Family Birth Center was a fourth generation family member greeted into the world on Monday as operations were winding down at the local center.

Because of declining birth rate, Allina Health Care made the decision to move all inpatient labor and deliver services to the Mother Baby Center at United Hospital and Children’s Minnesota in St. Paul. A ceremony where stories were told, and prayers were offered was held Thursday night, Feb. 3. Pictures had been removed from the walls and the silence – no crying babies after all – was filled with memories. Former co-workers shared tales and tears.

“Today marks the end of an absolutely wonderful team's legacy of providing exceptional care,” said Jennifer Snider, Manager of the Family Birth Center. “For 67 years, the Family Birth Center selflessly provided care to their community. We've had many incredible moments with our patients and team that we are so thankful for. A highlight is the fourth-generation baby named

Photo by Bruce Karnick

Photo by Bruce Karnick Kinsey, who was born here at Regina on Monday. It has been a privilege to work with such a talented, caring, compassionate, and dedicated group of professionals. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my career, I’m so proud.”

“Today was pretty hard,” said Snider. What I didn’t want to lose sight of during this time was how special all of you were and how special what we’ve done here was.”

She noted that the center always scored high on patient satisfaction surveys.

“That’s because of this team. Every single one of you,” said Snider. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before how special this place is. We didn’t have the fancy bells and whistles, but boy, did we care 100 percent every day. We love the Birth Center, and that translated to the care we provided.”

She quoted from a letter written by a parent who had children at the Family Birth Center in recent years, one sadly passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

“The love, sympathy, care and beautiful sentiments that the staff at Regina Health Center showed left me speechless. I was blown away at how much these staff members connected to each of their patients and truly do care,” the mother shared. “I’ve been through some of the most painful things, child labor, and worst days of my life, losing a child. And the team at Regina Birth Centre has been there right by my side through it all.”

Said Snider, “Although we are deeply saddened that we will no longer be able to do what we love here in this place with each other, I’m eternally grateful for having had the opportunity to be a part of this legacy.”

In a brief ceremony, Rev. Paul Causton drew the parallel with the planting of seeds in the community.

“I just want to echo all the ‘thank yous’ that you’ve heard here and from the community for the amazing work that all of you have done, not only now, but through the generations in this place. As I thought about it, thinking about this time, the picture of seeds came to mind, the idea of when we plant those seeds and nurture it, new life comes from that,” said Causton. “You guys have been such a part of bringing new life into the world. All those good memories…All those things that you’ve done…Those skills…Those talents that you have…The gifts that you have…They’re like seeds that you have spread, and their impact in the community, for generations, will continue.”

The current Family Birth Center was about 20 years old, Snider said. Since 2006, when data was computerized, there have been 4,200 births at the Family Birth Center.

Over the 67 years of the birth center, the exact number isn’t known but it would be in the tens of thousands.

Loss of the center was a blow to the community when its closing was announced in the fall. Employees have heard from countless well-wishers.

“We had an outpouring of support from the community as well as the people here at Regina,” said Snider. “It is absolutely 100 percent the team here that sets us apart. These people are incredible.”

Snider was asked for what the most emotional moment was for her in her career in Hastings.

“I would have to say it was the day we found out our Birth Center was closing. We were all in a room together. We kind of knew what was coming because our birth numbers have been declining. But the way we supported each other after that truly devastating news was just beautiful. I’ll never forget it. It was one of the hardest moments but also one of the most beautiful,” she said.

Allina statement

Allina said the move was necessary as health care evolves. Its full statement from fall reads: “For years, United and Regina Hospitals have successfully collaborated to deliver care for our east region communities in many ways, including advancing cardiovascular, cancer, mental health, and general surgery services together. As part of our on-going commitment to provide a seamless care experience in the east metro, Allina Health will move all inpatient labor and delivery services to one location at the Mother Baby Center at United Hospital and Children’s Minnesota, effective Feb. 3, 2022.

Regina Hospital’s Family Birth Center is an outstanding inpatient program with extraordinary team members who have delivered thousands of babies for more than 67 years. We are proud of the decades of exceptional care delivered at the Family Birth Center and are thankful for how well providers and staff have served the larger Hastings community.

“The landscape of obstetric services continues to evolve with contributing factors, such as women delaying their pregnancies to later in life and having smaller families. There has been a significant decline in birth rates at Regina for the past few years and the rates are projected to continue to decline.

“A stronger partnership among United and Regina Hospitals, allows us to provide a broad array of inpatient obstetric services such as, onsite perinatology, neonatology/NICU, and integrative medicine at United Hospital, while maintaining seamless care locally in the Hastings community for prenatal, post-partum and women’s health needs.

“Allina Health is committed to strengthening care in the east metro. At Regina Hospital, Allina Health is investing in enhancing outpatient mental health and addiction services including adult intensive addiction, mental health partial hospitalization and day treatment programs. The investments we are making in the Hastings community will improve the experience for our patients and our community for years to come.”

As it was put by this group of ladies, they are a group of staff, young and old – a mix of nurses that started back in the 60’s when the birth center first opened in Hastings to the staff that delivered the last child in Hastings.