HAMMOND — For the second consecutive year, North Oaks Medical Center has earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report as a “High Performing in Maternity Care” and “Maternity Care Access Hospital.” These recognitions underscore the hospital’s exceptional outcomes and vital role in safeguarding access to care for Northshore families. As Tangipahoa Parish’s only birthing hospital, North Oaks ensures local families have access to high-quality maternity care without leaving their community.
U.S. News is the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, and its annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care study is now in its fifth edition. For the 2026 edition, approximately 900 hospitals nationwide submitted data for evaluation. Only 495 achieved a High Performing rating, placing North Oaks among the top maternity hospitals in the U.S. and among only five hospitals in Louisiana recognized for 2026.
“Hospitals designated as a U.S. News Best Hospital for Maternity Care are national leaders. This recognition means they are consistently hitting crucial patient safety benchmarks compared to other hospitals,” said Jennifer Winston, Ph.D., health data scientist at U.S. News. “It’s a clear signal to expectant parents about where the highest standards of care are being practiced – when parents see this designation, they can be assured they are choosing a hospital dedicated to exceptional, evidence-based maternity care.”
North Oaks earned its High Performing designation based on key quality indicators such as C-section rates among lower-risk pregnancies, unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breastmilk feeding rates and birthing-friendly practices, among other measures.
“This back-to-back recognition from U.S. News is a testament to the extraordinary people behind our maternity care program,” affirms North Oaks President & CEO Michele Kidd Sutton, FACHE. “The expertise and compassion of our team of providers, nurses and support staff elevate standards of care every day, and I am incredibly proud of the difference they make and continue to make for the families we serve.”
Rose McKelvie, Vice President of the Women & Children’s Service Line, adds, “We are laser-focused on delivering exceptional, evidence-based care and ensuring that families continue to have access to the services they need close to home. This recognition from U.S. News means a great deal to us. It truly reflects the heart and purpose of our work.”
U.S. News first introduced the Maternity Care Access Hospital designation in 2024 to highlight hospitals essential to communities at risk of becoming maternity care deserts—areas lacking sufficient maternity services. Only 147 hospitals—14% of those evaluated—earned this distinction nationwide. Hospitals are evaluated on factors including staffing levels, obstetric provider ratios and quality metrics such as Cesarean-section rates.
Beyond its U.S. News honors, North Oaks Medical Center continues to lead in excellence. North Oaks Medical Center is designated by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a “Birthing Friendly” hospital in acknowledgment of its commitment to high-quality maternity care. It maintains its Louisiana Birth Ready Plus status—one of only 18 birthing hospitals in Louisiana to meet the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative’s highest benchmarks for safety, quality and patient partnership. It is also recognized as a Blue Distinction® Center+ for Maternity Care by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, which is a designation reserved for hospitals delivering evidence-based, superior outcomes for mothers and infants.
North Oaks is further celebrated for its comprehensive breastfeeding support, having earned the highest-level Gift designation from the Louisiana Department of Health. Its Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ranks among the top 25% in the nation, according to the Vermont Oxford Network.
Families interested in learning more about North Oaks Women & Children’s Services or scheduling a guided tour of Labor & Delivery may call (985) 230-6295 or visit northoaks.org/womenandchildren.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.
About North Oaks Health System
North Oaks Health System is Louisiana’s largest independent hospital service district and is strategically based between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. For 65 years, the health system has embraced a mission to improve lives every time, every touch. Facilities in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes include an acute care hospital that serves the region as a Level II trauma center and primary stroke center, a medical rehabilitation hospital, two outpatient diagnostic and treatment centers, an outpatient surgery center, three outpatient rehabilitation clinics, four urgent care clinics, a hospice and a growing physician group for primary and specialty care. Learn more at northoaks.org.