Your clinical practice as an OB Hospitalist at Union Hospital will center around the OB Emergency Department, where you'll have the opportunity to practice comprehensive obstetric emergency care in a purpose-built environment. Unlike many facilities where obstetric triage is managed in makeshift spaces or within the labor and delivery unit, you'll work in a dedicated OB ED with nine total beds—five private rooms with doors and four additional bay areas with privacy curtains. This specialized space allows for efficient evaluation and management of a diverse range of obstetric presentations in a patient-centered environment.
Each day in the OB ED brings a variety of clinical scenarios that will keep your obstetric skills sharp and your practice engaging. You'll evaluate and treat patients at all gestational ages once pregnancy is confirmed—from early pregnancy complications like hyperemesis and first trimester bleeding to term labor, preeclampsia, and other acute obstetric emergencies. With 300-350 OB ED visits processed monthly, you'll provide crucial early assessment and intervention that often makes the difference in maternal and fetal outcomes.
The OB Hospitalist team delivered 66 babies in the first four months of 2025, continuing the pattern of approximately 174 deliveries annually. These deliveries primarily consist of unassigned patients, patients of the hospital's certified nurse-midwife who provides only prenatal care, and family medicine resident deliveries that require OB hospitalist supervision. You'll also occasionally cover deliveries for the employed OB/GYN physicians when requested, though this remains a small portion of the overall clinical responsibilities.
Your practice environment includes two dedicated obstetric operating rooms located within the labor and delivery area, staffed 24/7 by Union Hospital's own surgical technicians and supported by dedicated OB anesthesia (CRNA model). This integration of services ensures that emergent surgical intervention can be initiated rapidly when needed, without reliance on main OR staff or facilities. When not responding to emergencies, the eight labor and delivery rooms are just steps away from the OB ED, allowing for efficient rounding and management of admitted patients.
Union Hospital maintains Level III perinatal status—the highest designation outside Indianapolis—with 24/7 on-site neonatology and maternal-fetal medicine support. The NICU manages approximately 400 admissions annually, from brief observations to micro-preemies requiring months of intensive care. This robust support system allows you to manage high-risk obstetric patients with confidence, knowing specialized backup is immediately available if needed.
The position focuses exclusively on obstetric care, with no gynecologic surgery or office responsibilities. While this focus allows for a clear clinical scope and predictable workflow, it's worth noting that GYN emergency cases presenting to the OB ED will be your responsibility until an appropriate handoff can be arranged. For physicians who wish to maintain GYN surgical skills, the opportunity to arrange PRN work at other facilities exists, as several current hospitalists have done.
Working as an OB Hospitalist at Union Hospital means practicing in a well-designed space with excellent support systems and a clear scope of practice. You'll have the opportunity to make critical clinical decisions that impact maternal and fetal outcomes while working alongside experienced colleagues who value collaboration and mutual respect. This balance of autonomy and support creates an ideal environment for physicians seeking meaningful clinical work with manageable acuity and volume.