New Staten Island maternity center can accommodate the birth of 1K babies a year

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island University Hospital recently unveiled its Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center, for the first time integrating maternity, labor and delivery, and the NICU into one location and accommodating the delivery of an additional 1,000 babies a year within the Ocean Breeze site.

The center, which will open sometime in April, has a separate street entrance aimed at creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for arriving families, and private rooms for labor and delivery. Since 1979, the maternity and NICU services have been scattered across three different locations on two floors within the facility.

The new seamless structure, which adds nearly 50,000 square feet of space, will respond to community need and make sure mother and baby have every chance to thrive, the hospital announced.

“What truly sets this facility apart is the spirit of compassion and empathy that permeates every interaction,’' said Dr. Brahim Ardolic, executive director of SIUH, during a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Ocean Breeze facility on Tuesday.

Ardolic emphasized the importance of compassion and empathy in patient care. “We understand that each individual is more than just a patient — they are someone’s mother, daughter, sister, or friend,’' he said.

The facility is named for the late Staten Islander Vincent Gruppuso, founder of the Kozy Shack pudding empire and a generous community leader in whose memory a charitable foundation continues to support philanthropic causes around the Island.

Following Hurricane Sandy, a storm resiliency plan was initiated, leading to the construction of a new power plant, which laid the foundation for the Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center.

Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the center is in its final stages of completion, thanks in part to the advocacy efforts of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who secured $2 million in the federal budget.

“SIUH’s women and newborn facilities have not been upgraded since 1979, forcing services to be offered in three different locations across two floors in the hospital,” Malliotakis said. “I’m happy to have played a role in ensuring women in our community continue to have access to high-quality, patient-centered care.”

Efrat LaMandre, chair of the SIUH Foundation board, shared her enthusiasm on Tuesday.

“We have spared no effort in designing a facility that not only meets, but exceeds the needs and expectations of those we serve,” LaMandre said. “Families will be able to enjoy exquisite birthing and recovery rooms, each offering privacy to guarantee a comfortable and intimate labor and delivery experience.”

In addition to the Vincent Gruppuso Foundation, the project is a result of collaboration and contributions of several benefactors, including: Mark & Laura Lauria; Richmond County Savings Foundation; Jean and Frank Patafio and family; the Shall family; the Hayes family, in memory of Juliet Francine Hayes; Phil Mancuso, in memory of Philip and Geraldine Mancuso; Frank and Laura Besignano; Mrs. and Dr. Theodore Strange and family; Dr. Gary Fruhman and family in honor of Dr. Matthew Steven Traugott; Labor of Love, in memory of nurse Marianne DiStefano; Donna Proske; Mrs. and Dr. Brahim Ardolic.

Michael Caridi, son-in-law of Gruppuso and chairman of the SIUH Regional Executive Council, highlighted the significance of the facility.

“This consolidation will not only enhance efficiency, but also has the potential to increase our capacity, allowing us to welcome and care for an additional 1,000 babies per year,’' he said.

Caridi and his family have been longstanding benefactors of the hospital, contributing to the emergency department, pediatric units, breast imaging and more throughout the years.

“My father-in-law deeply cared for children and valued the care he received at SIUH toward the end of his life,” Caridi explained. “His constant drive for improvement and betterment is the foundation of our work with SIUH.”

This new addition will be the second location at the hospital to honor the Gruppuso family, with the Virginia Gruppuso Breast Imaging Center already in place.

“Over 25 years ago, my wife was in labor with our first daughter at Staten Island University Hospital,’' said Caridi. “She shared a room with another new mom who had a challenging delivery and was in significant pain. Seeing the need for families to have dignity and privacy during their hospital stay, we were inspired to support the concept for the new center.”

Alongside Caridi, the foundation is led by Gruppusos’ daughters, Joanne Caridi, Diana Boland and Lisa Salvo, and their spouses, who are dedicated to enhancing health care and education for the community’s youth.

Boland said at the ribbon-cutting event that the center is the perfect way to honor her late father.

“Our father’s love for children was boundless, and it’s only fitting that we channel that love into the creation of this center,’' she said.

Boland said this endeavor isn’t just about constructing a building. “It’s about nurturing a tradition, passing down values from one generation to the next,.”

“Our children, nieces and nephews — they are the heartbeats of our family, the keepers of our legacy,’' she said.

Also planned by SIUH is the opening of the Joseph Maffeo Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 2025.