The $5 million gift adds to philanthropic support received to date toward what’s estimated to be a $28 million construction project. Brown President Christina H. Paxson said the University embraces the opportunity to support the care of women and families in Rhode Island, as well as the many accomplished medical practitioners at Women & Infants who serve as faculty members at the Warren Alpert Medical School.

“Brown’s support for the labor and delivery center not only reflects the important partnership between Brown and Care New England, but it also demonstrates how cooperation across institutions can serve the people of Rhode Island and elevate the level of health care in the state,” Paxson said. “Close coordination between physicians and researchers translates to excellent medical care and patient outcomes, and we’re pleased to support this project and the health of families from across the region.”

CNE expects to begin construction on the Brown University Labor and Delivery Center in early 2023.

“The project to create this new labor and delivery center is driven by our commitment to providing the best possible care to patients and their families and elevating clinical practice,” said Dr. Methodius Tuuli, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Women & Infants Hospital and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the medical school. “For patients, the new center will support a more personalized birth experience. For medical and academic partners, it will offer improved clinical team communication and an enhanced ability to recruit and retain top clinical and research talent.”

Paxson noted that Brown and CNE remain in ongoing conversations about additional measures of support from Brown to ensure strong and productive partnerships between the University and the health system.

[Editor's Note: An initial version of this story misstated the expected timeline for construction. The date has now been corrected.]