Published on March 06, 2025

  • Bronson Battle Creek and Bronson Methodist Hospital earned Maternal Levels of Care Verification

Bronson Hospitals Verified as Leaders in Maternal Care by The Joint Commission

Bronson Battle Creek and Bronson Methodist Hospitals are recognized for excellence in maternal care serving patients at all risk levels.

The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), has awarded Maternal Levels of Care (MLC) Verification to two Bronson hospitals, recognizing their excellence in maternity care. Bronson Battle Creek has been verified as a Level II maternal care facility, and Bronson Methodist Hospital has achieved Level IV verification, the highest level of maternal care.

In 2024, more than 4,500 babies were born at Bronson BirthPlace, which operates in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, making Bronson the leading birthing center in southwest Michigan.

This verification recaps:

  • Bronson Battle Creek (Level II) provides specialized care for low- to high-risk pregnancies, ensuring mothers receive expert treatment close to home.
  • Bronson Methodist Hospital (Level IV) serves as a Regional Perinatal Health Care Center, offering the most advanced care for complex maternal conditions, critically ill pregnant patients and high-risk fetuses.

“At Bronson, the safety and well-being of mothers and babies is our top priority,” said Bill Manns, President and CEO of Bronson Healthcare. “Earning these designations from The Joint Commission is a testament to the dedication of our care teams, who work tirelessly to ensure that every baby is born in a safe, high-quality environment. We have the expertise, technology and resources in place to handle routine births as well as the most complex cases, ensuring peace of mind for the families we serve.”

The Joint Commission conducted a comprehensive on-site review in January, evaluating Bronson’s maternity care capabilities, policies and emergency protocols. Patients delivering their babies at Bronson benefit from:

  • Expert care teams trained to manage all levels of pregnancy and childbirth, including high-risk cases
  • Seamless coordination with maternal-fetal medicine specialists for high-risk pregnancies when needed
  • 24/7 in-house anesthesiologists to provide pain management and support during labor and delivery
  • Access to the region’s only children’s hospital and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
  • A Safe Sleep-Certified hospital, recognized for implementing top-tier safety measures to reduce infant sleep-related deaths
  • An internationally recognized Baby-Friendly hospital designation, honoring Bronson’s commitment to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and newborns

The MLC Verification program was developed using ACOG’s Levels of Maternal Care Obstetric Care Consensus (OCC) clinical guidelines, ensuring hospitals meet rigorous standards for maternity care. To learn more, visit The Joint Commission website.