Public to name hospital's new baby

Wendy Wasick of Florence and her baby Alex sit with Ruth Riley, a certified nurse midwife at Cooley Dickinson Hospital's Center for Midwifery Care. Riley delivered Alex. The center also offers services after a child is born.">Judie Brock, a certified nurse midwife, and Josh Filiault and Kimberly Charette of Charlemont in one of the center's exam rooms.">The Cooley Dickinson Center for Midwifery Care will get a new name by June.">

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Open for nearly a year now, Cooley Dickinson Hospital's Center for Midwifery Care is a busy clinic, yet it is without a name.

Now, a local woman charged with naming the center is asking the community to suggest names.

The hospital is soliciting ideas through April 15, with a decision expected by June.

Mary Ann Cofrin of Amherst, who co-chairs the committee that raised more than $820,000 to fund renovations and start-up costs for the center, came up with the idea of letting the community participate in naming the center, which offers a full gynecological clinic and services and midwife care for pregnant women.

"Because of the size of my personal gift, I was asked if I wanted to name the building and instead of naming it after myself I thought, wouldn't it be cool to let the community have a say in that process," Cofrin said.

Cofrin declined to specify the amount of her gift.

The pale yellow Victorian next door to the hospital was the former home of a Cooley Dickinson physician. The house was renovated to include rooms for examinations, a waiting area, reception desk and consulting room. The attached garage was converted to function as a community room, where eventually midwives plan to offer groups for pregnant women.

Last January, Dr. Tucker Kueny, a Northampton resident, accepted the position of medical director for the practice. The center began assisting expectant mothers last June. It has three acting midwives, Pamela Drexler-Lopez, Judie Brock and Ruth Riley.

"Midwife" which means "with woman," is a term for a professional health care provider who has graduated from one of the advanced educational programs accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwifery - in addition to passing a national certification exam and meeting the requirements of state health agencies.

Residents interested in submitting names for the center can fill out a ballot in a variety of ways.

Cooley Dickinson's public relations director, Christina Trinchero, said the hospital recently began placing ballots in downtown stores and mailing letters to donors who supported the building's renovation.

Also, during the months of February and March, Trinchero said hospital officials will distribute ballots throughout Hampshire County and launch a YouTube video to publicize the contest.

The deadline for submitting names is April 15. After reviewing the suggestions, the hospital is expected to announce its decision by the time the center celebrates its one-year anniversary in June.

Residents are also encouraged to send their ideas by email to development@cooley-dickinson.org.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.