The Woman's Hospital of Texas (Woman's) had a monumental delivery with the arrival of its 9,000th baby born in 2008. At 8:57 a.m., parents Oscar and Gabriela Garcia, along with Woman's, welcomed Kamilah -- a healthy, 7 pound 6 ounce baby girl -- to the world. Woman's has delivered more than 170,000 babies since opening its doors in 1976, according to the Department of State Health Services, Vital Stats Unit. This year's 9,000th delivery marks the single largest number of deliveries in any given year throughout the history of the hospital.

Department of State Health Services statistics indicate that Woman's currently delivers an average of 750 babies each month, which is almost 57 percent more than the next closest hospital in Harris County. The hospital is well-equipped to handle a high volume of births, including higher risk births. In fact, on a recent night, expert physicians and staff at Woman's delivered a set of twins, triplets and quadruplets, all within 2 1/2 hours.

"This is a historic event at Woman's," said Linda Russell, CEO of The Woman's Hospital. "Our dedication and expertise in healthcare for women and infants, coupled with our top-notch physicians and staff -- many of whom have been with us for more than 20 years -- helped realize this remarkable milestone. I couldn't be more proud," said Russell. Woman's commemorated the occasion by presenting the Garcia's with a complimentary stay in The Woman's Suites, a $500 gift certificate for a family sitting and photo package with photojenic, inc. along with a special diaper bag brimming with gifts from the hospital's Physical Therapy Center and Education Department, Houston Women's Care Associates' Aesthetic Center, OGA Aesthetics and Laser Center, Stork Club, 9 Maternity, Lori's Gift Shop, Crave Cafe, Walgreens at 7400 Fannin, Mead Johnson(TM) Nutrition, Abbott's Similac(R) and Kick Maternity. Dr. Eberhard Lotze, Chief Medical Officer of Woman's, was on hand to honor the 9,000th delivery. As one of the hospital's founding physicians, he delivered one of its very first babies. "When we founded Woman's Hospital in 1976, we never imagined that we would top more than 170,000 births. We have been breaking new ground in women's healthcare since the very beginning, and I am proud to say that the tradition continues," said Lotze.

Woman's is set to increase its capacity and serve even more families in 2009 as its $75 million expansion is completed. The 145,000 square-foot expansion is slated to open early next year and will result in a total of 367 hospital beds. Areas within the hospital benefiting from the growth include post partum, ante partum, caesarean section rooms, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) -- a department for which Woman's is renowned -- and Labor and Delivery.

With the New Year just 12 days away, the hospital anticipates delivering even more babies; however, the birth of Kamilah marks the first time Woman's has delivered 9,000 babies in a single year. Mom and baby are doing exceptionally well and expect to be home just in time for the holidays.

About The Woman's Hospital of Texas

Established in 1976, The Woman's Hospital of Texas (Woman's) is a nationally recognized, specialty hospital in the Houston area dedicated exclusively to the care of women and infants. Woman's staff, including cutting-edge Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and one-on-one labor and delivery nurses, are dedicated to excellent, personalized service and education. Woman's helps women at every stage of life get well and stay healthy. Since 2007, U.S. News & World Report ranked Woman's in their top 50 hospitals nationwide for gynecologic care. The Woman's Hospital of Texas. Every Woman. Every Baby. womanshospital

Fact Sheet -- 9,000th Baby Delivered

Making history

-- Woman's has delivered more than 170,000 babies since its inception in 1976*
-- The 9,000th baby marks the single largest number of annual deliveries in Woman's history
-- Woman's currently delivers more babies in Harris County than any other hospital
-- An average of 750 babies are born at Woman's each month, which is almost 57 percent more than the next closest hospital in Harris County*

Facts about Woman's growth and capabilities

-- Woman's is currently home to 275 beds, 1,200 employees and more than 600 physicians
-- Woman's 145,000 square-foot, $75 million expansion is slated to open in early 2009
-- The expansion will increase the total number of beds at the hospital to 367
-- The expansion will enable physicians to deliver more than 11,000 babies annually
-- Woman's has a 98-bed -- Level II and III NICU nursery staffed 24/7 by board-certified Neonatologists and Neonatal Nurse Practitioners

The Woman's Hospital of Texas