Elena Foster and her children after the birth of her youngest son
Exceptional Care, Close to Home
Giving families hope
The Walter and Yvonne Wood Birthing Center at Beverly Hospital welcomes nearly 2,000 newborns into the world each year. Through the campaign to revitalize and renovate the Wood Birthing Center, Beverly Hospital is creating a state-of-the-art facility to match the high standard of care provided within. “I think it really speaks to the commitment that Beverly Hospital has to babies and families in this community,” says Mary C. Boyd, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “It’s an outward acknowledgment of the high-quality work we do already.”
When Elena Foster went into labor nearly two months early, her world shifted in an instant. There was no time to plan—only the urgent need for expert, compassionate caregivers close to home. Minutes later, she was at Beverly Hospital’s Wood Birthing Center, where a calm, coordinated team moved quickly and confidently as she delivered her son at 27 weeks. They expertly guided her and her family through this difficult time: “The staff was incredible,” says Foster. “It was unbelievable how they were able to put my mind at ease.” The initial days could have been filled with confusion and fear, but the staff at Beverly Hospital were with Foster and her newborn every step of the way. “In those early days and weeks of having a premature baby, there are so many obstacles to overcome and so many tests to be done,” says Foster. “They continued to reassure me all the time about how strong he was, how beautiful he was, and how strong he was going to be.”
[QUOTE_HERE]
The calm focus of the nurses and physicians reflects the quality of care they provide. At stressful times like these, their steady presence is essential to making effective, important decisions. “In these types of moments, you are nothing but beyond scared,” says Foster. “What the nurses did that was so critical was to normalize everything and make me feel safe and comfortable, ensuring me that I had nothing to worry about.”
Community hospitals like Beverly Hospital serve as anchor institutions—offering reliable, high-quality health care that spans routine health and well-being to critical, life-saving care that is always accessible, close to home. Proximity is everything during an emergency, and for Foster, going all the way into Boston was not an option. “Having a hospital close by that knew exactly what to do—it meant everything,” says Foster. The skilled team at Beverly Hospital was there for her the moment she needed them, with the experience and skills to deliver high-quality, compassionate care.
Community support is essential to bringing the Birthing Center to life, and thanks to generous donors like Foster, the campaign is nearing completion. “I am so proud of how our community has come together to help create a state-of-the-art facility that will help us welcome future generations into the world. Investments in Beverly Hospital uplift our community and ensure that we can all thrive, together,” says Lisa Zopatti, Vice President, Philanthropy, Addison Gilbert and Beverly Hospitals.
Foster’s gratitude has turned into a desire to ensure that every family in the North Shore can count on the same safety, steadiness, and skilled support—that is why she supports the Wood Birthing Center project. “Any and all contributions to the hospital matter,” says Foster. “I want to make sure that we continue to have this successful community hospital for other people because it saves lives.”
For more information, please contact Lisa Zopatti, Vice President, Philanthropy.