Burdett Birth Center - The Martin Group

Challenge

On June 13, 2023, St. Peter’s Health Partners announced their intention to close the Burdett Birth Center, located at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, New York. There was concern among healthcare providers and community members about the lack of a maternity ward in Rensselaer County if Burdett Birth Center were to close.

Solution

The Martin Group was brought in to help the Save Burdett Birth Center Coalition members share their success stories about the care received at Burdett and the harm community members would face if they lost the birth center. We worked closely with coalition members and state lawmakers in the Assembly to ensure key messages were raising awareness of the issue. We were able to build strong public support through media engagement, personal stories, and testimonials. We created an echo chamber of voices opposed to the closure.

Results

On April 29, 2024, St. Peter’s Health Partners announced that with funding secured in the FY 2024-25 New York State budget, Burdett Birth Center would remain open for at least five more years, a huge win that felt impossible just mere months before.