IU Health Fishers celebrates one year of maternity care

By Emma Avila, writer for IU Health's Metro Region

IU Health Fishers is celebrating the first year of maternity care at the hospital, welcoming 565 babies and creating meaningful moments for families in Fishers and the surrounding communities.

One year, hundreds of babies and countless special moments later, the Maternity team at IU Health Fishers is celebrating a milestone of its own.

Team members recently gathered to mark the unit’s first anniversary, complete with cake and some particularly special guests: families of some of the first babies born at the hospital.

The Maternity unit officially opened Oct. 30, 2025. By the end of its first year, the team welcomed 565 babies into the world at IU Health Fishers.

For Jeni Stroup, clinical operations manager of Obstetrics and Special Care Nursery, that number is meaningful, but the patients’ experiences behind it matter even more.

“They consistently tell us they feel heard, respected and empowered throughout their care journey,” Stroup says. “Our goal has always been to partner with patients in making the best decisions for themselves and their babies.”

The unit was created to expand access to maternity care in a growing community and give more families the opportunity to deliver closer to home. During its first year, however, Stroup says its reach extended beyond Fishers, with families traveling from across Indiana for care.

“The reach and impact of our care have exceeded my expectations and reinforced the need for the patient-centered approach we have worked so hard to create,” she says.

For Dr. Micah Mathai, MD, medical director of OB/GYN services at the hospital, having maternity care available in Fishers can help make an important moment a little easier for families.

“From a physician’s perspective, this first year of maternity care at IU Health Fishers has meant giving families the opportunity to welcome their babies closer to home, surrounded by their support systems and connected to the community where they’ll raise their children,” Mathai says. “We truly love what we do and respect every member of the team. I hope patients witness that intentionality in the care they receive.”

Both leaders credit the team and its collaborative culture for a successful first year.

“I knew we had an extraordinary team before we ever opened our doors,” Stroup says. “Watching that preparation come to life through the care they provide every day has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”

As the team enters its second year, the anniversary offered a chance to celebrate what has been built while looking ahead to the families still to come.

“This first year has given us a strong foundation,” Mathai says, “and I’m excited to keep listening to our patients, learning together and growing with the community.”

To learn more, visit iuhealth.org/fishersmaternity.