(Alliston, Ontario) – October 25, 2010 – After joining the Obstetrical team at Stevenson Memorial Hospital (Stevenson) in April 2008 and playing in instrumental role in re-establishing birthing services at Hospital, Dr. Alison Barrett has tendered her resignation, effective December 19, 2010, in order to focus on her family. 

 “Dr. Barrett has been a profound and inspirational leader since joining our team,” said Annette Jones, Chief Operating Officer, Stevenson.  “Her ability to rejuvenate our program has allowed us to ensure that woman in our community have access to the high-quality obstetrical and gynaecological services they require closer to home.  Her impact on our program will not be forgotten.”  

Following the very public closure of the Birthing Unit at Stevenson in December 2006, which attracted the attention of the community and beyond, Dr. Barrett came to the organization with her sights set on re-establishing a booming Birthing Unit and instilling confidence in the hospital’s ability to provide high-quality obstetrical services to its community.  Since that time, the Hospital successfully re-opened the Unit in April 2008, welcoming over 600 births, and developed a comprehensive range of gynaecological services.

Dr. Glasine Lawson, who joined Stevenson in November 2008, will continue to provide full-time obstetrical services and support as the Hospital’s lead obstetrician/gynaecologist and will be supported by a team of part-time and casual obstetrician/gynaecologists while the Hospital actively recruits another full-time obstetrician/gynaecologist.  Dr. Barrett is currently working on a transition plan with her existing patients, providing them with the option to transfer their care to Dr. Lawson or to another physician of their choice.  Physician recruitment to replace Dr. Barrett is already underway. 

New obstetrical patients will be referred to the care of Dr. Lawson, and existing gynaecological services will also continue to be available. The physicians, midwives, staff and volunteers in the program remain committed to ensuring that high quality obstetrical and gynaecological care is provided and available to the community.

 "While the departure of Dr. Barrett is a definite loss to the Maternal Child Program at Stevenson, our community is committed to ensuring that high quality birthing services remain a priority," said Sylvia Biffis, Chair of the Maternal Child Advisory Committee (MCAC). "The Maternal Child Program has experienced tremendous upward momentum and impressive progress since the re-opening of the unit under Dr. Barrett's guidance. We would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Barrett for her dedication and professionalism and wish her all the best. The MCAC is dedicated to ensuring the doors will remain open to mothers in our community who have a right to receive care closer to home."

“Our priority remains the delivery of consistently safe, quality care to labouring mothers during all phases of their birthing experience.  Every member of our team - physicians, midwives, staff and volunteers – believes in our program and is committed to its sustainability within this community,” said Jones.

The Maternal Child Program at Stevenson is holding an open house and tour on Wednesday, October 27, 2010. Community members and new parents-to-be are invited to visit the unit to learn about the mother and baby services available, including pain management and anaesthetic options, prenatal and paediatric care, and midwifery services.