Salinas Valley Health Earns National Maternity Care Recognition

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
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December 6, 2022 − U.S. News & World Report has named Salinas Valley Health as a 2022-2023 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy). This recognition from the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, is the highest award a hospital can earn from U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

The annual evaluation is designed to assist expectant parents and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care. Salinas Valley Health earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care as measured by several evidence-based quality metrics.

“One of the most rewarding services we provide is helping to bring healthy babies into the world,” says Pete Delgado, president/CEO of Salinas Valley Health. “Our team takes pride in their expertise and are passionate about supporting parents and newborns in every interaction. This national recognition is a prestigious testament to our commitment to providing exceptional care.”

Salinas mother Kaela Alexander has delivered all four of her children at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center and wouldn’t consider going anywhere else. Her latest child, Isaiah Jr. was born on December 3 and weighed 4 pounds, 9 ounces. He has two brothers and one sister.

“I’ve had all my babies here,” says Kaela Alexander. “The people and care here are the best and it doesn’t surprise me at all that they have received this recognition for maternity care. It was excellent when I had my first baby in 2017. Now though, the services seem to be even more elevated and I notice the passion and teamwork.”

U.S. News evaluated nearly 650 hospitals that provide high-quality labor & delivery services for uncomplicated pregnancies for its 2022-2023 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. Fewer than half of all hospitals that offer maternity care and participated in the survey received a High Performing designation.

“When expectant parents are considering their options for welcoming a baby to the world, the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care are designed to help them identify hospitals that excel in delivering babies for uncomplicated pregnancies,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “A hospital that has earned a High Performing designation may be a good option for parents, in consultation with their medical provider, to consider.”

The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based on objective measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, early elective delivery rates and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates, among other measures. For more information, visit Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

In addition to the U.S News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ranking, earlier this year, Salinas Valley Health received reaccreditation as a Baby-Friendly Hospital by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), a designation held since 2011. Approximately 1800 babies every year are born at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center and each mother receives comprehensive lactation services and support programs.