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National Recognitions for SIH Birthing Center

 

For the second year in a row, SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale has earned a prestigious spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, a national recognition that affirms our Birthing Center as a trusted leader in safe, evidence-based care for expectant mothers.

Only half of the 817 hospitals evaluated earned the High Performing designation—U.S. News’ highest award for maternity services. This distinction is based on data-driven quality measures, including cesarean section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, unexpected newborn complications, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, and birthing-friendly practices such as midwifery care and support for skin-to-skin bonding. SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale also voluntarily shares data related to racial and ethnic disparities to promote equity and transparency in care.

“This honor brings validation to my team for all of the hard work they do every single day to care for our moms and babies,” said SIH Director of Women and Children’s Services Terri Pursell, MSN, RN.

“Being recognized as a Birthing-Friendly hospital means that we’ve demonstrated our commitment to improving maternal outcomes through participation in national quality collaboratives and ongoing projects to reduce maternal morbidity. I am extremely proud of our team and our providers.”

U.S. News & World Report began rating hospitals on maternity care in 2021. For SIH, the ratings are more than a badge—they’re a reflection of a mission in action. The SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Birthing Center is home to the highest level of neonatal care available in the region south of Interstate 64. As an Illinois Department of Public Health-designated Level II-E Special Care Nursery, this means the hospital is equipped to care for infants born as early as 30 weeks gestation, those with low birth weight or babies who require additional medical support after delivery.

“This recognition from U.S. News & World Report is a reflection of our entire team’s commitment to providing safe, evidence-based care to every expectant mother who walks through our doors,” said SIH Vice President and Administrator of SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Craig Jesiolowski. “It speaks volumes about the caliber of our clinical teams and reinforces our reputation as a destination for maternity care in Southern Illinois.”

“We are proud to be a place where clinical excellence meets compassion,” said SIH Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Jennifer Harre, DNP. “Every measure used by U.S. News speaks directly to our team’s focus on quality, safety and equity. Whether you’re here for a routine delivery or a more complex birth, you can be confident that we are delivering the highest standard of care, right here in Southern Illinois.”

For more information about the 2025 U.S. News & World Report ratings, visit U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.


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