“U.S. News & World Report” has named Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, Saint Luke’s East Hospital, and Saint Luke’s North Hospital–Barry Road as 2025 High Performing hospitals for Maternity Care. This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of “U.S. News’” Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study.
“U.S. News” began evaluating maternity care hospitals in 2021, rating hospitals that provide labor and delivery services and submit detailed data to the publication for analysis. Best Hospitals for Maternity Care assist expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care team, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity services that best meet their family’s needs.
Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, Saint Luke’s East Hospital, and Saint Luke’s North Hospital–Barry Road each earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as severe unexpected newborn complication rates, birthing-friendly practices, and transparency on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures.
Saint Luke’s North Hospital–Barry Road was also named as a 2025 Maternity Care Access Hospital—a designation recognizing essential hospitals serving communities that would be in danger of becoming maternity deserts if they were to stop providing crucial maternity care services.
“As the region’s trusted maternity partner for 135 years, we are proud of the exceptional care and supportive environment that our team provides to all those involved in the birthing experience,” said Kristen Wootton, DO, medical director of obstetrical and neonatal services in BJC Health System’s West Region, which operates as Saint Luke’s. “All three of our Saint Luke’s hospitals delivering maternity care earned the highest award, demonstrating our commitment and dedication to the quality care we provide daily.”
“U.S. News” evaluated 817 hospitals from across the United States. Only half of all hospitals evaluated for “U.S. News’” 2025 ratings edition have been recognized as Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.
“The hospitals recognized by ‘U.S. News’ as Best Hospitals for Maternity Care showcase exceptional care for expectant parents,” said Jennifer Winston, PhD, health data scientist at “U.S. News.” “These hospitals demonstrate significantly lower C-section rates and severe unexpected newborn complications compared to hospitals not recognized by ‘U.S. News’.”
The “U.S. News” Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality, such as cesarean section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, severe unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, birthing-friendly practices, and reporting on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures.
For more information, visit Best Hospitals for Maternity Care and use #BestMaternityHospitals on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
