Allegheny Health Network (AHN) has announced the opening of a new midwifery practice east of Pittsburgh, expanding its women’s health services into Westmoreland County. The new office, located at 310 Rodi Road in Pittsburgh, will initially be staffed by certified nurse midwives Amber DePra and Diana Shane. Emily Stewart, also a certified nurse midwife, is expected to join the team in April. The clinic will operate four days a week on a rotating schedule.
The expansion is part of AHN’s effort to increase access to comprehensive obstetric and gynecological care for women throughout the region. The practice offers services from puberty through post-menopausal care, including prenatal visits, labor support, postpartum care, annual exams, birth control management, and treatment for conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and sexually transmitted infections.
“We are thrilled to bring this remarkable care team closer to home for so many women in the eastern Pittsburgh region into Westmoreland County,” said Marcia Klein-Patel, MD, PhD, Chair of AHN Women’s Institute. “The addition of this new midwifery practice underscores our network’s ongoing commitment to providing accessible, high-quality, and personalized care to patients. Our certified nurse midwives offer a unique blend of clinical expertise and compassionate support, ensuring that our patients feel heard, understood and well cared-for, no matter what stage of their lives they may be in.”
Expectant mothers choosing midwifery care through this practice will have their deliveries at AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville. The hospital features modern birthing suites and a Level II neonatal intensive care unit.
“When working with our obstetric patients, our goal is to work collaboratively to provide them with personalized and tailored care plans – whether that’s an epidural and a scheduled induction, or an all-natural birth experience,” said Amy Gramz, CNM and APP supervisor. “We take time to learn about patient goals, practice shared decision-making and form a strong partnership with our families to achieve their desired experience, as long as it’s within medical possibility.”
For higher-risk pregnancies or cesarean sections requiring physician oversight or intervention beyond standard midwifery services, Allegheny Health Midwives collaborates closely with OB/GYN physicians from East Suburban Associates who also deliver at AHN Forbes Hospital.
“AHN Forbes Hospital has proudly cultivated a strong women’s health program for nearly half a century,” said Mark Rubino, MD, president at AHN Forbes. “The expansion of our network’s midwifery service broadens options for pregnancy and delivery for patients across the communities we serve and further empowers women with personalized care that is within the safety of a hospital environment.”
National data from the National Institutes of Health indicates that most births attended by certified nurse-midwives occur in hospitals rather than homes.
Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses who complete additional accredited training in birth practices and women’s health services before becoming licensed practitioners. They must maintain certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board along with active nursing licenses.
The Rodi Road site joins two other outpatient clinics operated by Allegheny Health Midwives serving Uniontown and Jefferson Hospital locations.
