St. Joseph’s Health Named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2026 Lis
SYRACUSE, N.Y.— (April 24, 2026) St. Joseph’s Health Hospital is proud to announce its recognition on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2026, a prestigious distinction that highlights hospitals delivering high‑quality maternity care nationwide.
Only 460 hospitals nationwide earned a place on the 2026 list.
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary dedication of our women’s and infants’ teams and our long‑standing commitment to providing exceptional, compassionate care to families at one of the most important moments of their lives,” said Meredith Price, President of Hospital Operations. “Being named among the nation’s best maternity hospitals reinforces our mission to ensure every patient receives safe, high‑quality, and personalized care.”
The recognition is presented by Newsweek and Statista, Inc., the world‑leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Hospitals were evaluated using three primary data sources:
Hospital Quality Metrics: Key indicators relevant to maternity care
Patient Experience Surveys: Publicly available patient survey data assessing overall experience
Reputation Score: Recommendations from healthcare professionals and hospital leaders with expertise in maternity, neonatal, and perinatal care, including physicians, nurses, and midwives
As noted by Newsweek, “High quality maternity care, provided from pregnancy through birth and postpartum, is key to the long‑term health to newborns and those who give birth. America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2026 recognizes 460 institutions delivering high‑quality care amid growing challenges. These hospitals stand out for strong clinical outcomes, supportive patient experiences, and innovative approaches to advancing maternal and newborn health in both urban and rural communities.”
“Our model of care is centered on patients and families,” said Heather Shimer‑Bero, Director of Women and Infants at St. Joseph’s Health. “This recognition speaks to the teamwork, expertise, and compassion our physicians, nurses, midwives, and support staff bring to every birth. We are proud to offer advanced resources while never losing sight of the personal experience that matters so deeply to families.”
St. Joseph’s Health provides a full continuum of women and infants services, from prenatal care through postpartum support. These services include advanced obstetric care, labor and delivery, postpartum services, lactation support, and specialized neonatal care for premature and medically complex newborns.
“From the first prenatal visit through delivery and the early days of life, we focus on creating a safe, supportive environment where families feel heard, respected, and cared for,” said Shimer-Bero.
St. Joseph’s Health Hospital is home to Syracuse’s first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), opened in 1970, a milestone that established the hospital as a regional leader in neonatal care. Since its founding, the NICU has continued to provide specialized, high‑level care for vulnerable newborns, supported by experienced neonatologists, specially trained nurses, respiratory therapists, and multidisciplinary care teams.
This latest recognition builds on St. Joseph’s longstanding history of excellence, including being designated Baby‑Friendly by Baby‑Friendly USA, reflecting its commitment to evidence‑based maternity practices that support breastfeeding, bonding, and optimal outcomes for mothers and infants.
To learn more about maternity care at St. Joseph’s Health, click here.
