Spectrum Health Pennock Recognized for Maternity Care Excellence

Five Spectrum Health hospitals lauded for positive delivery outcomes.

June 9, 2021

Family Birthing Center team members, from left to right. Amie Sensiba, RN, Jessica Hillard, RN, Lynsey Nearpass, RN, Carey Groendal, CNM, Kyndra Leonard, RN, Evelyn Fisher, RN, Bria Miller, RN

In honor of Mother’s Day, The Economic Alliance for Michigan (EAM), has awarded Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital a Hospital Maternity Care Excellence Award for the fourth year in a row.

The awards are part of EAM’s Maternity Care Project. Created in 2018, the project goals are to decrease the state’s infant mortality rate, reduce the rate of unnecessary C-sections, and be an educational resource for new and expecting parents residing in Michigan.

“We’re so proud of our maternity care team for again earning this distinction,” said Steve Marzolf, chief nursing officer for Spectrum Health Pennock. “Led by birthing center supervisor Lynsey Nearpass, this team continues to provide an outstanding and safe experience for local mothers, babies and their families. We also believe the exceptional partnerships with our OB/GYN and Pediatric providers has created the ability for us to excel in our practices and outcomes.”

Spectrum Health Pennock has earned the distinction in each of the program’s four years and is one of five Spectrum Health hospitals to earn the designation. Other Spectrum Health hospitals recognized include:

Spectrum Health Butterworth in Grand Rapids
Spectrum Health United Hospital in Greenville
Spectrum Health Lakeland in Niles
Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Hospital in Fremont

“The recipients of the Hospital Maternity Care Award demonstrate their dedication to giving newborns the best start to life,” said Bret Jackson, president of EAM. “Unnecessary cesarean sections and elective early deliveries are all linked to increased negative health outcomes and higher medical bills. These costs can be financially devasting to new parents and can trickle down to employers as well.”

For the award, hospitals were evaluated in four areas: cesarean rates, episiotomy rates, elective early delivery rates and maternity care processes. The data is from The Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C. based organization aiming to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers.

To be awarded the Excellence Award, hospitals need to fully meet the standard in all four areas in the same calendar year.

The Maternity Care Project also provides details for birthing centers in Michigan, providing parents-to-be invaluable information in making a choice for hospital maternity care. To compare birthing centers and learn more about the project go to www.maternitycareproject.com.

Contact:
Meredith Schrotenboer
Lead Communications Specialist
Phone: 616.283.2112
Email: meredith.schrotenboer@corewellhealth.org