WakeMed Named Among the Nation’s Best Maternity Hospitals

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 6, 2022) – WakeMed has been named a 2022-2023 Best Hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report, a leader in quality rankings. WakeMed Raleigh Campus, WakeMed North Hospital, and WakeMed Cary Hospital achieved this recognition—the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

The annual evaluation is designed to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their doctors, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care. U.S. News evaluated nearly 650 hospitals that provide high-quality labor & delivery services for uncomplicated pregnancies for this year’s list. Data from WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed North Hospital, which operates under the Raleigh Campus license, were combined for this survey.

With 8,911 births reported during its 2022 fiscal year, WakeMed delivers more babies than any other health system in Wake County. To put that in perspective, a new kindergarten class is born within the WakeMed system every day.

“Our dedication to providing safe, quality, compassionate care is reflected in everything we do,” said Dr. Seth Brody, WakeMed Executive Vice President & Chief Physician Executive, and practicing OB-GYN physician at WakeMed. “More than anything, this award recognizes the WakeMed team’s deep commitment to delivering the best possible experience for every mother, baby, and family. We are proud of their work and proud to keep serving the moms and families of Wake County and beyond.”

WakeMed earned High Performing designations in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as newborn complication rates.

The WakeMed system consistently meets and exceeds nationally established quality-focused criteria that emphasize patient safety, positive outcomes, and exceptional care. WakeMed also has one of the lowest C-section rates in the U.S. and was the first hospital in Wake County to incorporate the concept of single-room care in a NICU setting.

WakeMed Cary Hospital and WakeMed Raleigh Campus are also designated as Blue Distinction Centers – the highest level of designation – for maternity services by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). Newsweek named WakeMed among the nation’s best hospitals for maternity care. Additionally, all three WakeMed hospitals received four star Breastfeeding Friendly designation from the NC Department of Public Health. Last month, WakeMed Raleigh Campus was named the best place to have a baby in the Triangle by the News & Observer's Raleigh's BEST awards.

The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely 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.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 970-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 10,300 employees, 1,000 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 700 physicians and providers with WakeMed Physician Practices – all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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