Southwest Health System’s family birthing center at Southwest Memorial Hospital has been designated as a birthing‑friendly hospital, the highest honor from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for “excellence in maternity care.”
To earn the designation, SHS was required to report its progress on CMS’ Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure through the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting program. The program evaluated whether the hospital had participated in a statewide or national perinatal quality‑improvement collaborative and implemented evidence‑based interventions to reduce maternal morbidity and improve care for pregnant and postpartum patients.
“The birthing‑friendly designation is the first CMS quality marker focused specifically on maternal health outcomes nationwide,” SHS said in a news release. “Hospitals earning this designation demonstrate a strong commitment to safe, high‑quality, evidence‑based maternity care.”
The designation also comes nearly three years after the closure of the birthing center was announced in June 2023. The decision was reversed weeks later after public backlash. Hundreds of residents attended hospital meetings, protested the closure and signed petitions to ensure the birthing center remained available for families in Montezuma County and the surrounding area.
SHS leaders said the designation reflects years of coordinated work among staff across departments. Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Gates said the achievement highlights the team’s commitment to high‑quality care.
“This designation is a significant achievement and a true testament of the staff commitment to excellence and teamwork at SHS,” Gates said. “It not only demonstrates a commitment to providing safe, supportive and inclusive care for families during childbirth, but also is representative of the patient satisfaction, health outcomes and recognition as a leader in maternal care for our community.”
Expectant mothers and their families who use the birthing center will have access to homelike birthing suites, one‑on‑one nursing care following birth, natural childbirth and anesthesia‑supported options, and specialized training in fetal monitoring, lactation support and childbirth education.
“CMS’s birthing‑friendly designation recognizes hospitals that prioritize maternal safety and continuous quality improvement,” said SHS Quality Coordinator Nikki Young. “We are proud to stand among hospitals nationwide committed to reducing preventable maternal complications and delivering exceptional care close to home.”
SHS said it will continue working to improve “maternal outcomes” for its patients and ensure those in its care have access to “high‑quality, compassionate maternity care.”
