Jersey Shore University Medical Center Recognized Nationally as a Best Maternity Care Hospital by Newsweek

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NEPTUNE, NJ – Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center was named to Newsweek’s 2020 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals. The distinction recognizes facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns, and their families, as verified by the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Best Maternity Care Hospitals is part of Newsweek, utilizing data from The Leapfrog Group.

“Best Maternity Care Hospitals are an elite group of hospitals from across the country,” said Nancy Cooper, editor in chief of Newsweek. “These facilities are to be commended for the care they provide to women and families, and for giving babies a strong start to life. Particularly in these uncertain times, we are honored to share this list of top-ranked facilities with Newsweek’s readership.”

“We have an exceptional obstetrics and gynecology team providing the most advanced maternal care and women’s health services in the region,” said Vito Buccellato, MPA, LNHA, chief hospital executive, Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “This recognition is a welcome acknowledgement of all their efforts.”

The academic medical center provides patients with advanced, comprehensive medical and nursing obstetrics and gynecology services, including care for complex pregnancies, prenatal and postpartum programs, outpatient lactation services, as well as educational, social, and nutritional support. Newborns with any health complications receive care from specialists in the medical center’s state-designated Level III High Risk Perinatal Center.


“Our team is focused on providing unparalleled safety, advanced care, and the best possible experience to all our patients,” said Scott W. Smilen, M.D., FACOG, chair of obstetrics and gynecology, Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “We continually work together to enhance our support services, prenatal and postpartum programs, and meet the needs of moms during routine or more challenging pregnancies.”

In addition, Jersey Shore University Medical Center offers a full range of high-quality health services to women at every stage of life, from adolescence to menopause. The gynecology service consists of leaders in gynecologic oncology, urogynecology (female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery), family planning, minimally invasive surgery, reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Hospitals named as a Best Maternity Care Hospital have fully met The Leapfrog Group’s standards for maternity care on evidence-based, nationally standardized metrics. The exacting standards have been established by Leapfrog’s national expert panel. This includes lower rates of early elective delivery, NTSV C-section, and episiotomy, as well as compliance with process measures including newborn bilirubin screening prior to discharge and blood clot prevention techniques for mothers delivering via C-section.

“As an academic medical center, Jersey Shore’s patients benefit from the collaboration between our physician faculty, residents, and nurses as they develop best practices for clinical excellence,” said Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, Hackensack Meridian Health regional president, southern market. “This excellence is reflected in the high-quality and safe care provided by the maternity team.”

Jersey Shore University Medical Center was one of fewer than 250 to receive the prestigious accolade. The full list of recipients will appear in the July 24 edition of Newsweek, available online and at newsstands nationwide.

For more information about services, visit www.jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com or for a free physician referral, call 800-560-9990.

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