Sacred Heart OB-GYN has delivered over 5,000 babies in his 25-year career

Throughout his 25-year career at Ascension Sacred Heart, Dr. William Lile feels blessed to have been a part of special moments in people’s lives. He has welcomed over 5,000 babies into the world and formed lifelong bonds with many families. 

“I still keep in touch with some of my patients and follow up on the babies.Well, they’re no longer babies; now they’re young adults,” said Dr. Lile, an Ascension Sacred Heart Medical Group OB-GYN. “I've also had new OB patients who I delivered as babies 25 years ago; those are always special.”

Dr. Lile said the beauty of obstetrics and gynecology lies in the opportunity to accompany women through various stages of their lives. From the early days of high school and college, through the excitement of pregnancy and childbirth, and later into menopause and beyond, OB-GYNs form deep and lasting relationships with their patients.

“I’ve never lost sight of the fact that I get to be part of special moments in people's lives,” he said. “It's a joyous time and probably one of the only times people are excited to come to the hospital.”

The Sacred Heart campus, where Dr. Lile arrived 25 years ago after completing his OB-GYN residency at the University of Florida, has undergone significant changes. Today, the campus is drastically different, reflecting the community's growth and advancements in medical technology.

“We have an amazing Maternity and Women’s Health and the region’s only Level III NICU that has expanded not only in staff but in their capabilities,” he said. “Back then, we would have to transfer patients to other hospitals. Now, we have care teams with specialized training and advanced technology where it's extremely rare to separate moms and babies.”

Even after delivering 5,000 babies, each delivery holds a special place in Dr. Lile’s heart.

“It’s an honor to be present when the baby transitions from being on the inside to when the baby takes its first breath and starts to cry. That is special every single time,” he said. “After every delivery, I say a prayer thanking God for a safe delivery and pray to bless the mom, dad and the baby as they begin the next generation.”

A perk of being an OB-GYN is that Dr. Lile fulfilled a dual role with the birth of his two daughters. “I had the privilege of delivering both of my daughters at Sacred Heart, so you can say it was the ultimate continuity of care.”

As your women’s health needs change throughout your lifetime, Dr. Lile delivers the care that’s right for you, from routine preventive care and screenings for new symptoms and more advanced specialty care. Click here to make an appointment.