Bronson BirthPlace in Battle Creek Receives Another Excellence in Maternity Care Award 

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The BirthPlace at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital has again received recognition from the Economic Alliance for Michigan (EAM) for its outstanding maternity care and delivery outcomes. It is one of just 11 hospitals in Michigan to achieve this distinction. The 2024 award is part of EAM’s Maternity Care Project, which seeks to lower the state’s infant mortality rate, reduce unnecessary C-sections and serve as an educational resource for new and expecting parents in Michigan.

Bronson Battle Creek Hospital was recognized for meeting high standards of maternity care in four key areas: cesarean rates, episiotomy rates, elective early delivery rates and maternity care processes. This award is based on data collected by the Leapfrog Group, a national organization dedicated to enhancing healthcare quality and safety for consumers and purchasers.

“Delivering outstanding maternity care means supporting our patients throughout their pregnancy and childbirth journeys,” stated Carol Fuller, Bronson’s Director of Women & Children’s Services. “This award reflects the dedication of our OB/GYN providers and the BirthPlace team in making every patient’s path to parenthood as safe and positive as possible.”

• The BirthPlace at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital is well-known for excellence in patient care.  It features all-private birthing suites along with unique programs designed to support mothers and their babies. It is Safe Sleep Certified, implementing top-tier safety protocols to minimize the risk of infant sleep-related fatalities.
• As a Baby-Friendly designated facility, it upholds the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their infants.
• Breastfeeding consultants are available both before and after delivery to assist new parents with nursing and the weaning process.
• For babies in need of donor milk, it offers access to the Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank, one of only two facilities in the state recognized by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
• Pregnant individuals or parents who have recently delivered a baby and have a history of substance misuse can receive support from a state-certified peer recovery coach through a free, confidential Peer Navigator Program.

These factors contribute to Bronson Battle Creek Hospital being the top choice for maternity care in Calhoun County. Each year, over 700 babies are born at the Bronson BirthPlace in Battle Creek. For more details about Bronson’s pregnancy and childbirth services, visit bronsonhealth.us/bronson-birthplace-battle-creek.

Photo Caption: Bronson Birthplace employees left to right, front row: Barb Shea, OB technician; Chelsea Huff, RN; Kelly Duits, RN; Tammy Morse, RN; back row: Savannah Ratkowski, RN; Brelynn May, unit clerk; Klancy Harris, RN; Rachel Kuestner, LPN; Rachelle McKenzie, RN; Flavia Hass, lactation consultant; Hannah Dean, RN.