During a virtual event held Wednesday, Oct. 20, the hospitals of Community Healthcare System were recognized for their commitment to infant and maternal health by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA), in partnership with Governor Eric J. Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Kris Box, MD, FACOG. The online ceremony marked the second annual INspire hospital recognition program.
INspire, funded by the Indiana Department of Health’s Safety PIN grant, was created to implement the delivery of best-practice care for Hoosier moms and babies. Recognition was given to hospitals for excellence in addressing key drivers of infant and maternal health. Community Hospital, Munster, has received the Hospital of Distinction award for 2021. St. Catherine Hospital, East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center, Hobart, Family Birthing Center staff each earned the Category of Excellence award.
Governor Eric Holcomb acknowledged the hard work and resiliency of the healthcare workers across the state.
The lives of so many Hoosier babies and mothers are dependent and directly tied to your efforts,” Holcomb said. “Infant maternal mortality are at the top of our priority list and because of you, we are making huge strides impacting the lives of infants and mothers, families and communities all for the better.”
Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said that while the state’s health focus has been largely on the COVID-19 pandemic, progress is being made to reduce infant and maternal mortality in Indiana.
“Our infant mortality rate has fallen to the lowest level in recorded history,” Box said. “We have made significant improvements in our black infant mortality rate, but we still have work to do to eliminate the disparities that persist. That work continues in communities around the state through education about safe sleep, thru education about early prenatal care and efforts to connect women who receive Medicaid benefits with the My Healthy Baby (formerly known as OB Navigator Home Visiting program).”