Washington Health Named a 2026 High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report

FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 19, 2025 – Washington Health was recently named as a 2026 High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care according to a recent article in U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. This designation represents the highest level of recognition a hospital can earn in USNWR’s annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care study.

“This honor speaks to the dedication of our maternal child health care team and the quality care they provide to families every day,” said Kimberly Hartz, Chief Executive Officer of Washington Health. “Our birthing center offers compassionate, family-centered care, and we’re proud to support parents with the expertise and personal attention they deserve during such an important time.”

U.S. News & World Report evaluates hospitals that provide labor and delivery services and voluntarily submit detailed maternity care data for analysis. For the 2026 edition, approximately 900 hospitals nationwide participated in the evaluation. The Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings are intended to help expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care providers, make informed decisions about where to receive maternity services that best meet their family’s needs.

Washington Health has long focused on providing high-quality, supportive maternity care for families in our community. Since 2013, the health system has been recognized as a Baby-Friendly Hospital after meeting national standards set by Baby-Friendly USA. This means families receive guidance and support for breastfeeding and infant bonding during the first days of a newborn’s life, following best practices recommended by the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

About Washington Health

Washington Health is an independent, community-based health system governed by the publicly elected Washington Township Health Care District Board. Opened in 1958, Washington Health has grown to include a 415-bed, acute care hospital that includes the Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion that also houses emergency services and a level II trauma center; the Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley; the Institute for Joint Restoration and Research; Peninsula Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Washington Health Medical Group; and Washington West that houses the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, Washington Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities. The health system continues to receive top-tier awards and distinctions for many programs and services, while advancing the level of medical care and treatment in Southern Alameda County. Discover more at washingtonhealth.com, and through Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.