Community Hospital, St. Catherine Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center again have been recognized for their commitment to infant and maternal health.
All three earned accolades from the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA), in partnership with Gov. Eric Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, MD, FACEP, at the fourth annual INspire Hospital of Distinction recognition ceremony.
The Family Birthing Centers at Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart received the Hospital of Distinction Award. The Family Birthing Center at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago earned the Category of Excellence Award.
The recognition is based on implementation of best practices in key areas, including infant safe sleep; breastfeeding; tobacco prevention and cessation; perinatal substance use; obstetric hemorrhage; maternal hypertension; and social determinants of health. Hospitals attaining the INspire Hospital of Distinction award have met four or five of the criteria categories. Hospitals achieving a Category of Excellence recognition have met criteria in one, two or three of the categories.
“The daily work of our delivering hospitals makes a monumental impact on the lives of so many Hoosier moms and infants in every corner of our state,” Holcomb said. “These caregivers are much needed and appreciated, and we will continue to partner with them to support our shared goal of a healthy Hoosier tomorrow.”
The leaders at Community Healthcare System’s Family Birthing Centers put initiatives in place to meet high standards for healthy pregnancies and healthy beginnings for infants.
“Our team at St. Mary Medical Center received the Category of Excellence award in the past, but this is our first time earning Hospital of Distinction,” said Brittany Pankiewicz, Family Birthing Center nurse manager. “This recognition validates our commitment to improving mother and child wellness.”
Carla Meyer, director of Patient Care Services at Community Hospital, said creating healthy beginnings is a top priority at Community Healthcare System. “We are known across Northwest Indiana for delivering exceptional care to mothers and babies,” Meyer said. “By providing that high level of care, we are doing our part to support Indiana’s goal of reducing infant mortality.”
LaTina Ashana, Family Birthing Center nurse manager at St. Catherine Hospital, said implementing best practices helps mothers, babies and the entire community.
“The programs and educational initiatives we offer support our efforts to provide bright futures,” she said.
For more about healthy beginnings at the Family Birthing Centers of Community Healthcare System, visit COMHS.org/baby.
