Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns County is expanding to add a Family Birth Place, bringing comprehensive labor and delivery services closer to home for families in one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions.
The project began with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 11, 2026, marking an important step toward expanding maternity and newborn care in St. Johns County.
Having maternity and newborn care close to home matters, especially when families are preparing for the birth of a baby. Expected to open by the end of 2027, the Family Birth Place will help increase access to care for mothers, babies and families in St. Johns County and surrounding communities.
“Families in St. Johns County deserve access to exceptional maternity care in their own community,” said Sean McAfee, Interim President and CEO of Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns County. “This new Family Birth Place reflects our continued commitment to serving our fast-growing county with compassionate, personalized care rooted in our Mission.”
What the Family Birth Place will include
The 27,000-square-foot expansion will feature modern, family-centered maternity care designed to support both mother and baby from delivery through postpartum recovery. The Family Birth Place will include 14 private, spacious delivery suites with accommodations for loved ones, a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, also called a NICU, four fully private NICU rooms and a dedicated family lounge for NICU patients and families.
The space will also include infrastructure to support future expansion as community needs continue to grow. Built on a single floor, the Family Birth Place will help create a connected care experience for mothers, babies and families.
Bringing maternity care closer to home
St. Johns County continues to grow, and more families need access to maternity care close to where they live. Currently, many expectant mothers in the area travel outside the county for labor and delivery services.
This expansion is designed to help meet that need by bringing labor and delivery care to Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns County.
“Ascension St. Vincent’s is committed to increasing access to high-quality services for mothers and babies throughout Northeast Florida,” said Scott Kashman, Interim Market Lead for Ascension St. Vincent’s. “This project will complement our Family Birth Places at our Southside and Clay County hospitals, providing comprehensive care that’s close to home for families throughout the region.”
What is a Level II NICU?
A Level II NICU, sometimes called a special care nursery, provides extra support for newborns who need more than routine care after birth.
Some babies may need additional monitoring or short-term specialized care before they are ready to go home. This may include support with feeding, breathing, temperature regulation or other newborn health needs.
When a baby needs extra care, the NICU team provides close monitoring and creates a care plan based on the baby’s needs. Families receive updates, guidance and support throughout their baby’s stay.
Supporting mothers, babies and growing families
The Family Birth Place at Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns County will help support families from delivery through postpartum recovery and newborn care.
For many families, staying close to home can make a meaningful difference. It can help mothers and babies remain closer to loved ones, support systems and their community during one of life’s most important moments.
With this expansion, Ascension St. Vincent’s will continue strengthening access to maternity and newborn care across Northeast Florida, including Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside and Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County.
Learn more about care at Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns County.
