Her Care Began with a First Special Delivery at the Women’s Center
July 17, 2023
While at an OB/GYN appointment nearly 20 years ago, Barbara Milian’s physician mentioned the grand opening of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and the hospital’s maternity services at the Women’s Center. “He asked if I’d like to have the first baby born at the facility and I said, ‘Absolutely!’ Sure enough, it was an amazing experience. I had a C-section,” says Milian, a Lakewood Ranch resident and local realtor who gave birth to a healthy, 9-pound baby boy named Julian on the very first day the hospital opened, September 1, 2004.
“Friends and family asked if I was nervous, since it was a new hospital, but I never felt that way. The hospital staff was so thorough. No box was left unchecked,” shares Milian. “I also have fond memories of the reunion parties that were held five and 10 years after the hospital opened for the first babies born at the Women’s Center. We even had a newspaper article."
The Women’s Center has since been renovated to improve comfort and access to services. Now, it has a spa-like atmosphere to evoke a sense of peace and calm for women in every stage of labor. The Women’s Center capacity has been increased to 14 labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum rooms, designed with comfort and serenity in mind. Soft, backlit corridors, customizable lighting in patient rooms and upgraded finishes are just a few of the new features.
Learn more about the Women’s Center →
A Repeat Visitor: Emergency and Surgical Services
“More recently I visited the hospital emergency room due to intense pain in my left side,” Milian says. “After several days of trying to deal with the pain, I headed to the ER at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. When I followed up with my doctor, I discovered the pain was due to fibroids.”
In December 2022, Barbara had a hysterectomy at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. “It was another excellent experience from the minute I got there,” she says. “This was the first time I had to go through pre-registration and pre-operation testing. As a realtor in the Lakewood Ranch community, I have a busy schedule, but I was in and out quickly, which made it a great experience. Everything went totally smooth.
“On the day of surgery, we got there at 5:45 a.m. and they called us in right away. Before I knew it, I met the anesthesiologist and saw my doctor. Then I remember waking up in the Women’s Center, where all the equipment and staff were amazing. They were so attentive, gentle and knowledgeable when checking my incision.”
The procedure took two hours, and Milian recovered at the hospital for two days before returning home to her family. “My obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Jorge Alvarez is an amazing, hardworking, caring and highly skilled doctor,” says Milian. “He is the one who performed my hysterectomy and has been with me since day one, when he asked if I would like to have my baby at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Lakewood Ranch has been our family’s hospital for the last 20 years. Because I’m a realtor in the community, I’m always recommending the hospital to clients and friends, too.”
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Expansion
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center has plans to expand its medical campus with a brand-new patient tower. The five-story facility will offer an additional 60 beds and expand the following departments: Pharmacy, Laboratory, Education, Pre-Admission Testing and Food and Nutrition Services.
The multi-phase expansion plan will take place over the next several years. Pre-construction is slated to begin this year and the first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2025. “With the significant population growth in the last six years, we’re eager to increase the capacity of our on-campus facilities to better serve the surrounding community,” says Andy Guz, Chief Executive Officer at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.