A proud legacy of care for women and newborns
This year marks the 50th anniversary of a special program that cares for women and their newborns. Since 1974, Northeast Florida moms-to-be with high-risk pregnancies have received medical care at RPICC — the Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center at UF Health Jacksonville, regardless of their insurance coverage or ability to pay.
The RPICC program operates within the OB-GYN high-risk pregnancy practice, as well as within the Women’s Services and Pediatrics departments at UF Health Jacksonville. This center was one of the first created by the Florida Department of Health and remains the only one in Northeast Florida. Currently, RPICC services are provided throughout Florida at two Obstetrical Satellite Clinics and 10 other hospitals, with the closest at UF Health in Gainesville.
According to Jenny Van Ravestein, DNP, RN, NE-BC, Division Director of Women’s Services at UF Health Jacksonville and UF Health North, there is a great need for obstetrical and pediatric services and the positive outcomes that RPICC provides. Based on data provided by the state, in the eight years from 2015 to 2023, the UF Health Jacksonville RPICC center has provided obstetrical care to nearly 8,000 women and neonatal care to 1,500 infants.
“The major goal of the RPICC program is to deliver optimal medical care for women with high-risk pregnancies and newborns who are sick or born too early,” Van Ravestein said. “All of the work we do is focused on improving the outcome of pregnancy and the quality of life from birth.”
The obstetrical component of the RPICC program identifies and provides quality medical care to high-risk pregnant women as early as possible to protect their lives, as well as the lives of their infants. Women with high-risk pregnancies can include those with diabetes, epilepsy, previous C sections, Lupus, heart conditions and HIV/AIDS. The neonatal component is focused on the care of premature babies, with critical illnesses, low birth weight and other special health needs.
In addition to the care provided by medical professionals, Van Ravestein sees childbirth education as an important element of the program. “We want the expectant mothers to be truly informed participants in their care and to have a wonderful birth experience,” she said. “We provide education services on a one-on-one basis, in person or via Zoom. The sessions can include a partner, spouse or family member. We make every attempt to provide all services in a family-centered approach from pregnancy to post delivery.”
Gloria Jones, Medicaid liaison, has worked with the UF Health Jacksonville RPICC program for 17 years and has seen a growing need for maternal and newborn care. The mothers relay their appreciation for having all their care at one location, including Medicaid assistance, doctor’s appointments, ultrasounds and a nonstress test for the infant. They also appreciate the compassionate care they receive. “The entire team works together to improve outcomes and quality of life,” Jones said. “Our ultimate goal is to give them a great outcome. That is exactly what we want.”
Thanks to the team members who will move the Jacksonville RPICC into its next half-century of care:
Josef M. Cortez, MD
Neonatologist, UF RPICC Physician Leader
Luis Sanchez-Ramos, MD, FACOG
Maternal Fetal Medicine
Isaac Delke, MD, FACOG
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Jenny Van Ravestein, DNP, RN, NE-BC
Division Director of Women’s Services
Kathy Schafer, LPN
Educator
Emily Edwards
Senior Data Analyst
Marquita Howard
OB Perinatal Liaison
Gloria Jones
Medicaid Liaison
Deidre Taylor
Neonatal Liaison
Mark Hudak, MD
Professor
Department of Pediatrics, Chair
Division of Neonatology, Chief
John Davis, MD
Professor and Chair
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology