Press Release

CINCINNATI, Ohio – UC Health is thrilled to announce that its maternity care programs at UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital have earned three prestigious national accolades, highlighting the exceptional care delivered to mothers and babies across the region.

These honors affirm UC Health’s reputation as a leader in maternity care, blending expertise, compassion, and innovation to ensure the best outcomes for families. 

The recognitions include:

• 2024-25 “Best Maternity Hospital” – UC Medical Center 
  Awarded by U.S. News & World Report 

• 2024 “Birthing-Friendly” Hospital – West Chester Hospital 
  Recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 

• 2024 “Birthing-Friendly” Hospital – UC Medical Center 
  Recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

“Our labor and delivery units are driven by an exceptional team of providers and nurses who deliver the highest level of care every single day,” said Michael Thomas, MD, department chair of obstetrics and gynecology at UC Health and UC College of Medicine. “When I speak with medical students applying for obstetrics and gynecology, I always highlight that our doctors and nurses truly embody our mission of dedication to the patient populations we are privileged to serve. I applaud them all for this well-deserved recognition!”

UC Medical Center, a Level 4 maternity center, offers the region’s most advanced care for high-risk pregnancies and critically ill newborns, backed by state-of-the-art technology and a specialized team of experts. West Chester Hospital, a Level 2 maternity center, provides comprehensive maternity services in a welcoming, family-centered environment for low- to moderate-risk pregnancies.

Patient Perspectives

At UC Health, the trust in our nationally recognized maternity care programs extends beyond our patients—it’s the reason even our own staff choose to deliver their babies here.

Maggie Pelle, a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner who has been with UC Health for nearly a decade, delivered her son Luka at UC Medical Center on November 1, 2024. “Working daily alongside the exceptional providers, residents, nurses, lactation consultants, and support staff, I know firsthand the level of care they provide to every family,” Maggie shared. “I couldn’t imagine delivering anywhere else.”

Mara Kunkel, a Labor & Delivery nurse for seven years, welcomed her third child, Grant, at UC Medical Center on September 20, 2024. Having experienced both emergency and calm deliveries at UC Medical Center, Mara said, “Regardless of the situation, I trusted my colleagues to handle any complication and ensure the best outcome for me and my babies. There’s nowhere else I would trust with my care.”

For both Maggie and Mara, teamwork is the hallmark of their experiences as employees and patients. Their stories exemplify UC Health’s dedication to providing the highest standard of maternity care, earning national accolades and the trust of those who know it best.

Why These Ratings Matter

The U.S. News & World Report “Best Maternity Hospital” designation evaluates hospitals on outcomes, safety, and care processes. Only hospitals meeting the highest standards for maternity care earn this distinction.

The CMS “Birthing-Friendly” designation reflects a hospital’s commitment to maternal health, equity, and quality. Hospitals must implement evidence-based practices to improve maternal health outcomes and participate in national quality improvement collaboratives to qualify for this honor.

“At West Chester Hospital, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of obstetrical care to our patients and their families each day,” said Kaye Scott, RN, BSN, MS, Director of Women’s Health at West Chester Hospital. “Improving breastfeeding rates has been a key focus for our team, and this recognition validates the progress we are making. This honor reflects the collective efforts and commitment of our entire team, and we couldn’t be more proud to receive this acknowledgment.”

This triple recognition underscores UC Health’s leadership in advancing maternal health and its unwavering dedication to providing care that transforms lives.