MIDDLEBURG – Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County has been recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. Of the approximately 649 U.S. hospitals that submitted maternity data, U.S. News & World Report only recognized 297 as “High Performing.”

Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County is one of only two hospitals in Northeast Florida to receive this recognition.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for our high-quality maternity care, which highlights our commitment to moms, babies, and families in Clay County and across Northeast Florida,” said Kevin Rinks, administrator of Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay. “Our caregivers consistently go above and beyond to provide our community with compassionate, personalized care close to home.”

The Best Hospitals for Maternity evaluation is focused on pregnancy quality of care and outcomes. It looks at hospital data related to pregnancies that doctors determined to be low-risk and that remained low-risk. Evaluators also looked at five different factors:

• Scheduled early deliveries

• C-section rates in low-risk women

• Newborn complications

• Rate of exclusive breast milk feeding

• Option for vaginal births after cesarean

“When expectant parents are considering their options for welcoming a baby into the world, the Best Hospitals in Maternity Care is designed to help them identify hospitals that excel in the delivery of babies for uncomplicated pregnancies,” says Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor for U.S. News. “A hospital that has earned a High Performing designation may be a good option for parents, in consultation with their medical provider, to consider.”

To learn more about Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County’s Family Birth Place, visit healthcare.ascension.org.