Grady maternity closure

A Delaware mother whose son was born at Grady 90 minutes after Riverside sent her home said the closure would leave women without nearby care.

A Powell mother who nearly died delivering at Grady said losing the unit makes mothers feel unsafe in Delaware.

A nurse and mother said OhioHealth has steadily reduced Grady services since 2005 and urged leaders to reconsider and protect local maternity care.

A Riverside ER nurse said receiving hospitals were not prepared or notified, and EMS is already overwhelmed.

A retired Grady ER nurse and hospital supervisor described lives saved by L&D nurses and warned travelers can't assume emergency maternity care at Grady anymore.

The pastor questioned what 'pro-life' means if maternity care leaves a growing city and suggested finding another health system if OhioHealth won't invest.

A Grady nurse warned the closure creates a maternal care desert, saying 30 extra minutes can be the difference between life and death in obstetric emergencies.

A registered nurse at Grady Family Birthplace said the team delivered 257 babies last year and families wanted expanded local services, not less access.

Cited CDC and infant mortality data arguing removing obstetric care worsens access for patients reliant on local transportation.

A labor and postpartum nurse noted births at Grady rose 17% from 2024 to 2025 and questioned why investment isn't being made here instead.

An OB nurse from Marion described learning of the July 31 closure and asked council to explore every option before the unit is gone.