3 NJ hospitals recognized for Black maternal health care

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In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17, U.S. News & World Report released a list of 26 high-performing hospitals nationwide supporting Black maternal health. Among them are three from the Garden State. 

To determine the list, unveiled April 11, U.S. News identified the providers that were rated high performing in its Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ranking and served at least 20 Black patients per year. The named hospitals achieved excellent outcomes for cesarean section and unexpected newborn complications among Black patients. 

In New Jersey, the hospitals named to the list are: 

• Capital Health Medical Center-Hopewell – Pennington 
• Overlook Medical Center (Atlantic Health System) – Summit 
• Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (Virtua Health) – Camden 

With six facilities listed, North Carolina had the most recognized hospitals on the list. Only 13 states had health care providers named to the ranking. 

“For Black Maternal Health Week 2024, we celebrate these hospitals’ success in their important work supporting and advancing Black maternal health as part of U.S. News’ ongoing commitment to health equity and our support of women’s access to maternity care,” Jennifer Winston, U.S. News health data scientist, said in a statement. 

Founded seven years ago by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Black Maternal Health Week is recognized every April as part of National Minority Health Month. 

Improving maternal health care and addressing health care inequities is an initiative of First Lady Tammy Murphy, who helped launch Nurture NJ in 2019 with those goals in mind. The upcoming Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center project in Trenton will focus on improving maternal and infant health in New Jersey. The facility recently named its three anchor tenants,

Overlook Medical Center 

In an April 12 statement, Overlook Medical Center celebrated its inclusion on the U.S. News list. 

“Overlook is proud to be the destination of choice for a growing number of patients as they welcome new members of their families. As the diversity of our families continues to grow, we are investing in maternity care at Overlook,” said Stephanie Schwartz, senior vice president, Atlantic Health, and president, Overlook Medical Center. 

“This recognition reflects the environment we have created to ensure that Black patients and families are supported with exemplary care during this special time in their lives,” she added. 

The medical center also noted it’s modernizing its Frank & Mimi Walsh Maternity Center. The work will reconfigure the maternity department, triple the number of private rooms, enhance the flow of patient-centered care and establish new resources for families.

The project is part of Overlook Medical Center’s multiphase expansion plan. It is supported by The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, which works to reduce disparities in the delivery of health care and improve access to quality health care for vulnerable populations in the greater Newark area, as well as the Jewish community of Greater MetroWest, according to Atlantic Health.

Virtua Health 

“This recognition is extremely meaningful to our colleagues. We believe that all people are deserving of compassionate, individualized care, and therefore we must dedicate ourselves to being champions for health equity and providing our Black patients with outstanding experiences and clinical excellence,” Dr. Nicole Lamborne, Virtua’s vice president of clinical operations for women’s health and a practicing OB/GYN physician, said in a statement to NJBIZ about the recognition.  

“A collaborative and inclusive care model leads to the best outcomes for our new mothers and their babies. Our protocols and expert staff help to ensure safe, equitable, and exceptional experiences for those we are honored to care for,” Lamborne added. 

Capital Health did not immediately return a request for comment.