Story 20: Opening of the Childbirth Program with Dr. Rosenkrantz

The Birth of the QCH Childbirth Program

Dr. Lisa Rosenkrantz reflects on a time of major regional hospital changes that led to QCH opening its birth unit. Grace Hospital closed in 1999, but the Grace Hospital Birth Unit found a new home at QCH, where the QCH Childbirth Program opened later that same year.

The 1977 March rally at the Ottawa Civic Centre to save Montfort Hospital from closure. Amidst the hospital restructuring in the region, Montfort Hospital started the “SOS Montfort” campaign to save its hospital. Montfort along with the Grace Hospital were on the list for potential hospital closures in the region. 

The Grace Hospital closed in 1999 then rebuilt in 2002 as the Salvation Army Grace Manor Long Term Care.

Dr. Rosenkrantz also takes us on a tour of QCH's Childbirth Unit, showing how obstetricians, family doctors, and nurses from Grace, who transferred to QCH, helped design the space. While Grace’s culture continues, QCH has built its own strong legacy in maternity care.