Health Care

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Birth Center Awarded Advanced Perinatal Care Certification by Joint Commission, Redesignated by Baby-Friendly USA

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  • AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
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MERRIAM, Kan., — AdventHealth Shawnee Mission was awarded Advance Perinatal Care certification by the Joint Commission, proving the Birth Center has met and exceeded the strict standards of care for maternal, fetal and newborn health. This is an upgrade to the Joint Commission designation that the Birth Center had in place; previously AdventHealth Shawnee Mission was certified in core perinatal care.

“The upgrade to this certification by the Joint Commission which names our Birth Center as a Perinatal Center of Excellence is just one of many accolades that makes us the center of choice for the 5,000 families who deliver with us every year,” said Raimonda Shelton, RN, chief nursing officer, AdventHealth Mid-America Region.

Additionally, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission was redesignated a Baby-Friendly Hospital by Baby-Friendly USA (BFUSA), the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in the United States.

BFUSA Hospitals are designated based on a hospital’s efforts to promote breastfeeding to every mother, and to protect the critical time needed for mother and baby bonding.

“We remain the only hospital in Johnson County to have the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation from BFUSA,” said Shelton. “This recognition demonstrates our deep commitment to fostering an environment that’s supportive of breastfeeding and precious mother-baby bonding time.”

Among other accolades, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Birth Center is a listed as a High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier Facility for providing evidence-based maternity care that supports breastfeeding goals, and was named by U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, as a high performing hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy), the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

In addition, in July 2024, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Birth Center was named Best Birth Center on the annual Best of Johnson County awards list, a publication of the Johnson County Post.