SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sutter Health hospitals have been recognized for delivering top-tier maternity care, earning accolades from U.S. News & World Report and California Health and Human Services Agency in partnership with Cal Hospital Compare.
Fourteen Sutter hospital campuses were named to U.S. News & World Report’s “2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care” list as High Performing or Maternity Care Access Hospitals. This honor reflects Sutter’s longstanding commitment to improving care and safety for mothers and babies through innovative programs, including its Maternal Health/Birth Equity Innovation Lab.
“At Sutter, we are proud to provide high-quality, safe and equitable care to mothers and babies,” said Dr. William Isenberg, Sutter’s chief medical and quality officer. “These awards reflect the dedication of our physicians, nurses, clinical staff and employees to delivering exceptional care every day.”
The following Sutter hospitals earned U.S. News & World Report recognition:
- Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center – Alta Bates Campus
- Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center – Van Ness Campus
- Sutter Coast Hospital
- Sutter Delta Medical Center
- Sutter’s Eden Medical Center
- Sutter Lakeside Hospital
- Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center of Santa Cruz
- Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
- Sutter’s Memorial Hospital Los Banos
- Sutter Memorial Medical Center, Modesto
- Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
- Sutter Roseville Medical Center
- Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
- Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
In addition, three Sutter hospitals were recognized as a Maternity Care Access Hospital. These hospitals serve communities that would be in danger of becoming maternity care deserts if they were to stop providing crucial maternity care services.
- Sutter Coast Hospital
- Sutter Lakeside Hospital
- Sutter’s Memorial Hospital Los Banos
Fourteen percent of all U.S. News-evaluated hospitals have been designated as Maternity Care Access Hospitals. Seventy-five hospitals have been recognized as both Maternity Care Access Hospitals and Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.
Hospitals Rated “Best” for Maternity Care by U.S. News:
- Are 47% more likely to be designated as “Baby-Friendly” by Baby Friendly USA, indicating a hospital has taken important steps to support breastfeeding.
- Have C-section rates 22% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Have severe unexpected newborn complication rates 44% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Have episiotomy rates 33% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Have breast milk feeding rates 12% higher compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Are 13% more likely to report race/ethnicity data for both C-section and severe unexpected newborn complications compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
State Recognition for Maternal Care Excellence
The California Health and Human Services Agency and Cal Hospital Compare also recognized Sutter hospitals for outstanding maternal health performance across five key metrics:
- Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex (NTSV) C-section rates
- Surgical site infections after C-section
- Vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) rates
- Episiotomy rates
- Early elective deliveries before 39 weeks
Five Sutter hospitals met or exceeded performance standards across all five maternal health metrics:
- Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center – Alta Bates Campus
- Sutter Coast Hospital
- Sutter’s Eden Medical Center
- Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
- Sutter’s Memorial Hospital Los Banos
Additionally, four hospitals surpassed the statewide and Healthy People 2030 target for NTSV C-section rates of 23.6%:
- Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center – Van Ness Campus
- Sutter Davis Hospital
- Sutter Delta Medical Center
- Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
These honors highlight Sutter Health’s continued dedication to advancing maternity care and ensuring equitable health outcomes for mothers and babies across its network.
