As an OB Hospitalist at Union Hospital, you'll join a dedicated team of experienced physicians who've helped build this program from the ground up. The current team consists of three full-time OB Hospitalists, including Dr. Mike Allen who serves as the Medical Director. Dr. Allen brings 20 years of obstetric experience to the role, while the other two hospitalists—Dr. Merritt and Dr. Ferrara—bring even more extensive experience. Dr. Ferrara in particular is described by nursing leadership as having "seen everything" and being completely unflappable in emergency situations, embodying the calm, experienced presence that makes this program successful.
The OB Hospitalist program transitioned from being managed by OB Hospitalist Group (OBHG) to becoming directly employed by Union Hospital in October 2022. This transition retained key physicians like Dr. Allen and Dr. Ferrara, maintaining program continuity while allowing for more direct integration with the hospital's mission and culture. The employed model has been well-received by both the hospitalists and the broader medical staff.
The nursing team you'll work with reflects the best of community hospital practice—experienced, dedicated professionals who take their roles seriously. The day shift nursing staff in labor and delivery is particularly seasoned, with many nurses having decades of experience. The night shift tends to be younger, offering opportunities for mentorship and teaching. The OB ED is staffed with a minimum of two RNs at all times, and the labor unit maintains a minimum staffing level of five total RNs regardless of census, ensuring adequate coverage for emergencies.
Your physician colleagues extend beyond the immediate OB team. Union Hospital enjoys remarkable physician stability and loyalty, with many specialists having trained elsewhere but chosen to return to Terre Haute to practice. The hospital's VP of Medical Affairs, a female general surgeon, is part of a family practice that includes her father and two brothers—all general surgeons working together in the community. This pattern of family connections and returned talent speaks to both the quality of medical practice and the livability of the community.
The collaborative nature of practice at Union Hospital is perhaps best illustrated by the emergency response stories shared by leadership. When obstetric emergencies arise—from a traumatic maternal injury requiring emergency delivery to placenta accreta cases requiring hysterectomy—the OB hospitalists, private OB/GYNs, and surgical teams mobilize rapidly to provide coordinated care. Multiple physicians described situations where a call for assistance brought immediate response from colleagues, regardless of whether the patient was "theirs" or not. This genuine dedication to patient care creates a supportive environment where you'll never feel isolated in managing complex cases.
Joining this team means becoming part of a group that values clinical excellence and mutual support. You'll be working in an environment where professional growth is encouraged, emergency response is a team effort, and the quality of patient care is everyone's priority. The respect and collaboration between the hospitalist team and private physicians allows each to practice optimally while ensuring patient needs remain the central focus.