Labor and Delivery dedicated to Dr. Fitz-Gerald

Dozens of friends and family members of the late Dr. Maurice Fitz-Gerald crowded into the hallway outside of the labor and delivery suite in Whitfield Regional Hospital Thursday.

They were there to honor the long-time Demopolis physician with the unveiling of a plaque designating the unit as the Dr. M.J. Fitz-Gerald Birthing Suite.

“We’re here to celebrate the opining of labor and delivery and honor a remarkable physician who delivered so many babies here,” said hospital administrator Doug Brewer.

Since the unit reopened in April, he continued, some 50 babies have been born in the hospital. “It’s such a joy to have this program here.”

Dr. Fitz-Gerald’s son, Mack, in remarks before the unveiling, said the decision to close labor and delivery 10 years ago was a tremendous disappointment to his father. When the unit reopened, “He was so proud and happy,” said his son.

“The job of a Christian is to make a mark,” he continued. “My dad left his mark.”

In emotional comments, Dr. Fitz-Gerald’s widow, Jo said, “My husband fell in love with Demopolis. There was no place else he wanted to practice medicine.”

As the crowd toured the Birthing Suite, Brewer pointed out a framed scrub top hung in the nurses’ station. He said during the renovation the crew found three scrub tops with Dr. Fitz-Gerald’s name embroidered on them, and the hospital felt it was only appropriate to have one of them hung  there.

“He’ll always be on the unit with us,” he said.