STUART — More than 75 residents turned out for a community event aimed at raising awareness about the growing gaps in maternity care in Martin County.
On July 12, the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition held its inaugural Bridge Walk for Babies at Jock Leighton Park. The walk comes at a time of increased concern for expectant mothers, as the county’s only labor and delivery unit recently shut down, leaving families with fewer options for safe, local childbirth.
The closure, which was announced last year and went into effect April of this year, transferred delivery services from Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital to Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital. The announcement was controversial in the community, with some raising concerns of inadequate medical resources in the area…