Exciting news is on the horizon for growing families in Indian River County. Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital is officially unveiling its newly completed, $7.25 million maternity wing, a massive renovation project designed to combine top-tier medical safety with the comfort of a luxury hotel.
The new facility, formally named the Dace and King Stubbs Labor and Delivery Suite in honor of the John’s Island philanthropists who supported the project, is set to begin serving patients on December 18. This opening marks a significant milestone for Vero Beach healthcare, offering a compelling reason for local parents to deliver their babies closer to home rather than traveling to St. Lucie or Brevard counties.
A Modern Sanctuary for Moms and Babies
The renovation is not merely cosmetic; it is a comprehensive overhaul of the hospital’s obstetrics capabilities. The project was completed in phases to allow the unit to remain operational throughout the year. The result is a facility that prioritizes both medical efficiency and patient experience.
Key features of the new Dace and King Stubbs Labor and Delivery Suite include:
Combining Safety with Aesthetics
While the aesthetic upgrades are designed to attract younger families, hospital officials emphasize that safety remains the core value of the unit. According to hospital data, Indian River’s infant mortality rates are nearly five times better than the Florida average.
Megan McFall, CEO of the Healthy Start Coalition and a former Cleveland Clinic nurse, highlighted the hospital’s impressive safety record during a recent presentation to hospital district trustees. She noted that for low-risk deliveries, the likelihood of a mother being separated from her baby at the Vero facility is less than 2 percent.
“If you delivered at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, your neonatal mortality rate is .80 (or .8 deaths out of 1,000 births). Those are pretty good odds. So when you talk about safety versus to your north or to your south, that both have NICUs, your odds are pretty good.”
Recapturing Local Births
The renovation comes at a critical time. Currently, more than 300 of the county’s approximately 1,200 annual births take place outside of Indian River County. Hospital leadership hopes the new wing will reverse this trend. Earlier this fall, rumors regarding the unit’s potential closure drove some parents away, resulting in slightly lower birth numbers for 2025. However, with the commitment to this multi-million dollar renovation, Cleveland Clinic has signaled a strong dedication to maternal care in Vero Beach.
Dr. George Fyffe, chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, noted that the new environment advances the hospital’s commitment to improving quality and expanding services for at-risk mothers.
By merging a stellar safety record with a modern, visually appealing environment, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital aims to become the first choice for expectant mothers in Vero Beach, ensuring that the community’s newest residents start their lives right here at home.
