By Abigail Roberts
Beginning Feb. 16, Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital inpatient labor and delivery services will be moved to Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville.
The announcement to move the only OB services in Lincoln County was made Friday, Jan. 16.
Ephraim McDowell Health published a press release mid-Friday, detailing the changes that will occur in the next month.
“The EMRMC OB unit is able to provide additional capacity (18 beds) and serve more mothers and babies and includes a Level II Special Care Nursery to care for our community’s vulnerable babies right where they are born,” the press release states. “Moving OB services from Fort Logan Hospital enables us to elevate the level of care provided to our OB mothers and babies and serve our community’s healthcare needs more efficiently.”
Staff currently employed in the obstetrics services unit at Fort Logan Hospital have been offered positions at EMRMC or within the health system, according to the release. The medical group said they will ensure there is no disruption to care for expecting mothers.
“Over the next few weeks, we will work closely with the providers of OB services at Fort Logan Hospital to ensure mothers and babies experience no disruption to care,” the release states. “Patients should continue to see their providers and keep scheduled appointments.”
The medical group said they will work closely with Lincoln County EMS to ensure coverage for the Stanford area to EMRMC should the community need ambulance service or transfer during their OB care.
Ephraim McDowell Health said this will improve care in the community.
“Mothers and babies at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center will have immediate access to neonatologists and a Level II Special Care Nursery without having to be transferred to another facility should the need arise,” the release states. “In addition, EMRMC provides access to high acuity OB support that facilitates all patients with continued high-quality care and no disruption.”
The press release was posted on the Ephraim McDowell Health Facebook page and within an hour had garnered over 200 comments, with mixed reactions to the news.
Many in the community lamented the loss of local care in the comments, while some praised the care they received at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center.
Some were surprised to learn of the move, considering Fort Logan Hospital was recently rated High Performing for maternity care (uncomplicated pregnancy) and recognized as a Maternity Access Hospital in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ratings.
Multiple local, expecting mothers also had questions regarding the renowned “birthing spa” at FLH, which many said is why they picked FLH for labor and delivery services.
You can read the full press release here: https://emhealth.org/2026/01/16/ephraim-mcdowell-fort-logan-hospital-obstetric-services-consolidating-with-ephraim-mcdowell-regional-medical-center/
