A New Era for Maternal and Family Health in Philadelphia: Temple Women & Families Hospital Hosts Official Ribbon-Cutting

“This is a turning point for maternal and newborn healthcare in Philadelphia and beyond,” Abhi Rastogi, MBA, MIS, COO and EVP of Temple Health, announced at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Temple Women & Families Hospital on November 12th, attended by elected officials, philanthropic and community partners, Temple University leaders, and Temple Health staff.

As the region’s only hospital dedicated exclusively to women’s health and family care, the new facility embodies a powerful promise: to give every mother and baby the chance for a healthy beginning. From modern, family-centered birthing suites to one of the region’s largest NICUs to Behavioral Health integration, Temple Women & Families meets patients where they are and supports them every step of the way.

“We believe everyone deserves a safe, healthy birth no matter where you live, and that just didn’t happen in Philadelphia. But it does now—thanks to Temple Women & Families Hospital,” explained Michael A. Young, MHA, FACHE, President & CEO of Temple Health. “Temple found a way to address a problem others couldn’t.”

In opening the hospital, Temple is directly addressing Philadelphia’s maternal mortality crisis. The city has one of the nation’s highest maternal mortality rates—27.4 deaths per 100,000 live births—but since 1997, 14 of the 19 maternity units serving greater Philadelphia have closed. Temple Women & Families Hospital will reverse those trends by ensuring access where it’s needed most and providing families with the highest quality care.

"This facility illustrates the critical role that our health system occupies, alongside our university, as two of Philadelphia’s most important anchor institutions, providing support and stability to our community,” said Temple University President John Fry.

A National Model for Maternity Care

Speakers at the celebratory event emphasized how the hospital will transform women’s and families’ care and establish a maternal health model that can be implemented throughout the country.

“Temple is a great example of a health system working to change things by offering comprehensive maternal healthcare to a region that hasn’t always had access to it,” said Pennsylvania’s First Lady Lori Shapiro, who was among the dignitaries in attendance. “You’re doing incredibly important work here—and showing the rest of the nation what quality maternal care should look like.”

Governor Josh Shapiro and elected officials representing the Commonwealth at the federal and state level have championed our vision for Temple Women & Families Hospital, alongside members of the city government. We deeply value the Commonwealth’s support for needed capital improvements, as well as the generosity of our philanthropic partners—including The Percival Roberts, Jr. Trust and the William Penn Foundation—which has been critical to our mission of providing high quality, innovative patient care.

During tours of the facility, attendees learned about everything from Temple’s Perinatal Community Health Workers, who support mothers through high-risk pregnancies to a year after birth, when risks are highest; to the LENA app—developed by Temple Health’s in-house IT team—which keeps mothers connected to their care plans with education, reminders, and positive reinforcement; to Behavioral Health integration, which ensures that depression and anxiety are identified and treated as part of comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care.

“Temple Women & Families is more than a hospital,” said Rastogi. “It’s a blueprint for what equitable, outcome-driven maternal care can look like in cities across the country. We believe that people should expect more from healthcare. It takes Temple Health to lead that charge—starting right here.”

A Vision of Hope, Compassion, and Progress

Partners in the state legislature and on City Council also emphasized the new hospital’s mission and its transformative impact on Philadelphia.

“Temple Women & Families Hospital represents hope, compassion, and progress,” said State Senator Christine Tartaglione. “Every mother deserves a safe birth and to be supported during pregnancy and childbirth, and every baby deserves a healthy start. Temple Women & Families helps us take a major step towards that goal. Today, we celebrate not only a new hospital, but a commitment to equity, dignity, and the health of every woman and family in Philadelphia.”

“To know that a hospital like this is here—and specifically run by Temple—is very comforting, because I know that Pennsylvania’s women and children are in good hands,” agreed Carlyn Crowley, Chief of Staff for Philadelphia City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.

“In Philadelphia, the zip code you live in should never determine your quality of care or whether you survive childbirth,” said Nakaja Weaver, Legislative Assistant for Philadelphia City Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad. “This new chapter at Temple Health aligns with that mission, ensuring that women—including women of color—receive the dignity and respect that they deserve. Temple, thank you for believing that Philadelphia families deserve better, and for working to make it real.”

A Game-Changer for Philadelphia Families

In an especially powerful moment, Power 99 radio host and mom of two Roxy Romeo shared her experience delivering her children at Temple—including her daughter, who was born premature and spent 93 days in the NICU.

“As a mom who knows the importance of high-level maternity and family care, I’ll always be a cheerleader for Temple Health,” she continued. “Temple Women & Families Hospital is going to be a game-changer for Philadelphia families.”

An Inspiring Community Connection

The event concluded with the unveiling of a specially commissioned art piece, created by North Philadelphia artist Moneek Pines-Elliot. The piece shows a loving embrace between mother and baby—and will be prominently displayed over the front desk to welcome visitors to the hospital.

“I used pieces of a quilt for the blanket, because I thought babies needed soft fabric,” Pines-Elliot shared. “And I added a lot of color, because babies bring color and life.”

Those connections are what Temple Women & Families Hospital is all about—and why Temple is committed to giving every family the best possible start.