AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Named to U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care

MERRIAM, Kan., February 26, 2024 — U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named AdventHealth Shawnee Mission as a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy). This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

Best Hospitals for Maternity Care is an annual evaluation designed to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care team, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care that best meets their family’s needs.

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as newborn complication rates.

“Our compassionate team at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Birth Center cares deeply for our patients by extending the healing ministry of Christ by caring for the whole person and their growing families,” said Raimonda Shelton, chief nursing officer of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, “This recognition only validates our continued efforts to always provide the highest level of care no matter the age or stage of life; putting the patient’s comfort, as well as their maternal mental and physical well-being at the forefront of it all.”

U.S. News evaluated hospitals from across the nation that provide labor and delivery services and submitted detailed data to the publication for analysis; 680 hospitals, an all-time high, participated in this year’s U.S. News survey. Fewer than half – 46% – of all hospitals that offer maternity care and participated in the survey received a High Performing designation.

“Hospitals that receive a High Performing designation as part of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care meet a high standard in caring for parents with uncomplicated pregnancies,” said Jennifer Winston, health data scientist at U.S. News. “These hospitals have C-section rates that are 26% lower, and newborn complication rates that are 37% lower than unrecognized hospitals. Parents-to-be can research their local hospitals’ performance metrics for free at health.usnews.com to help them choose where to have their baby.”

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, birthing-friendly practices and transparency on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures.

"This recognition is reflective of the partnership between our physicians and nursing staff to provide a world-class experience that is safe and compassionate,” said Sam Huenergardt, regional chief executive officer of AdventHealth Mid-America Region. “I believe this is why our city chooses AdventHealth for their obstetric care."

For more information, visit Best Hospitals for Maternity Care and use #BestMaternityHospitals on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

About AdventHealth Kansas City

With a sacred mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth is a connected system of care for every stage of life and health. A focus on whole-person health and commitment to caring for the body, mind and spirit unify the system's nearly 50 hospital campuses and hundreds of care sites in diverse markets throughout almost a dozen states. AdventHealth in Kansas City includes AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Merriam, KS; AdventHealth Lenexa; AdventHealth College Boulevard; AdventHealth South Overland Park; AdventHealth Centra Care and AdventHealth Medical Group. Visit AdventHealthKC.com for more information.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.