By Leigh Farmer

VCU Medical Center is the proud recipient of a five-ribbon ranking on Newsweek’s list of “America's Best Maternity Hospitals 2024,” the news magazine’s highest designation – the only hospital in the Richmond region to receive this ranking. It was one of only 15 hospitals in Virginia on the list.

The number of babies born under the care of VCU Health has been increasing annually for the past decade, further demonstrating positive patient experiences and the superior reputation of the health system’s maternity care.

"We are proud to be recognized as one of the commonwealth’s top hospitals for maternity care. This prestigious accolade reflects our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional, compassionate care to mothers and their babies," said Tina Mammone, Ph.D., R.N., chief nurse executive at VCU Health. “Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals works tirelessly to ensure the highest standards of safety, comfort, and support for every family that trusts us with their care.”

“We are honored to be recognized for our high quality, patient centered care,” said David Chelmow, M.D., chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. “Our expert team of doctors, midwives and nurses collaborate with our patients and community partners to ensure we deliver personalized, safe care”

Hospitals on this list excel on multiple performance metrics that matter to expectant families. The evaluation was based on three components: an online survey of health care professionals and hospital managers with knowledge of the maternity process, results from patient experience surveys and quality metrics.

VCU Health’s OB-GYN team aims to empower expecting parents through education and collaboration to ensure they have the birth experience they want. These rankings highlight the team’s impact on patients and families throughout Richmond and beyond.

The evaluation of quality metrics, such as maternal care expertise and infection prevention, is a measurement Chelmow says is critically important.

“These measures, as well as health care professionals’ evaluation and patient’s feedback reinforce that we have the best expertise, technologies and resources to provide maternal and child health,” he said. “We are a teaching hospital which means that we must demonstrate best practice in all that we do. We have the honor and privilege of not only delivering babies, but also developing the next generation of maternity care medical providers.”

Nationally, the Newsweek ranking awarded five ribbons to 168 hospitals, while 236 hospitals received four ribbons.

This designation comes on the heels of a December ranking from U.S. News and World Report that positioned VCU Medical Center and VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital as “High Performing” maternity care hospitals. These were two of only 23 Virginia hospitals on that list.