NMC and Maitri Health Care are excited to announce that our two organizations have formed a partnership to deliver comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic care on NMC’s campus, eventually transitioning to a private practice model.

Maitri is a well-respected, South-Burlington-based, female-owned and operated, independent medical practice that has provided individualized, patient-centered, compassionate obstetrical and gynecological care since 2004. NMC began discussions with Maitri last fall to collaborate on a practice model that meets the hospital’s mission of providing exceptional care, in partnership with the Maitri team.

“We at Maitri are proud to announce this partnership with Northwestern Medical Center,” said partner Dr. Jennie Lowell. “Maitri joins NMC in their mission to provide the same high-quality care and to give women in the community more choices about where they choose to give birth and receive care.  We look forward to meeting you and assisting you on your health care journey,” she said.

“We are pleased to put this new partnership with Maitri in place as it keeps this important care here in our community,” said Jonathan Billings, NMC’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. “Our thanks go out to all involved, especially our staff who have continued to care for patients throughout uncertainty and to the Board of Director’s   OB Task Force who did the due diligence on improved sustainability and recommended the private practice model.”

Exploring a partnership became necessary for NMC as multiple factors resulted in challenges for the hospital in maintaining sustainable OB/GYN services. Some of those factors included retirements and departures of beloved long-term OB/GYN providers, recruitment challenges, increased reliance on per-diem and locum tenens (traveling) providers, and pricing and reimbursement that do not cover the cost of the care provided.

The NMC-Maitri partnership will take a phased approach, with NMC contracting with Maitri providers at the start, continuing to operate the OB/GYN clinic and employ all the clinic staff. In time, Maitri will take over the clinic as a private practice operating on NMC’s campus. The collaboration will continue to be closely connected to NMC’s Family Birth Center and Inpatient Pediatrics program, both of which will be maintained through these changes.

This phased approach represents a significant investment from NMC to keep this important care locally based. It offers Maitri the opportunity to ramp up, ensuring a smooth and successful transition.

The two organizations plan host sessions to give patients and community members the chance to get to know the Maitri team and learn about how their services will benefit our patients.