South Nassau Opens New Fetal Medicine Clinic

On Friday, South Nassau Communities Hospital opened a new Center for Maternal Fetal Medicine, which it says is the only dedicated center of its kind for high-risk pregnancies on the South Shore of Nassau County.

The center, located at 8 Oceanside Road in Rockville Centre, is steps away from the main Oceanside hospital campus, and will allow obstetricians to combine advanced medical technology with genetic counseling to provide the specialized care mothers and their fetuses may need to monitor and manage high-risk conditions.

"A pregnancy that is or may become complicated can be extremely upsetting for any parent," said Dr. Alan Garely, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at South Nassau. "Our new center offers the specialists, advanced technologies and services that enable parents to take an active role in assuring the best possible outcome for their pregnancy, while alleviating the burdens of their concerns and uncertain feelings.”

The $3 million center provides comprehensive maternal-fetal care and services, and is staffed by specially trained obstetricians known as maternal fetal medicine sub-specialists. They utilize advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies and techniques to closely monitor the condition of the child and mother and guide the progress of the pregnancy.

Dr. Dina El Kady, director of the center and chief of the division of maternal fetal medicine at South Nassau, has more than 15 years of experience in the high-risk field. "Every day, our team of experts, including specialized physicians, genetic counselors and MFM nurses and sonographers, work to create the best possible care plans for our patients,” she said. “I am so pleased to be able to bring this type of expert, specialized care to the South Shore and look forward to working with expecting parents across Long Island.”

The center’s ultrasound lab uses high-frequency ultrasound systems to create a 2D or 3D image of the uterus, cervix, placenta and fetus to monitor the progression of pregnancies and evaluate fetal well-being, detect fetal anomalies and monitor the baby’s growth.

Genetic testing, typically done through blood tests, provides information and support to women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to discuss possible genetic risk. Testing is effective at identifying risk factors such as advanced maternal age, inherited illnesses and disorders, congenital anomalies and recurrent miscarriages, which is essential to establishing the best possible plan of care for both mother and child.

El Kady is board-certified in maternal fetal medicine and obstetrics and gynecology. She earned her medical degree from New York Medical College and completed her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at The Brooklyn Hospital Center and a fellowship in maternal fetal medicine at the University of California, Davis.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-877-South-Nassau.

Photo: South Nassau Communities Hospital