U.S. News Names Medical Center in Alma a 2026 Maternity Care Access Hospital

MyMichigan Medical Center Alma was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for maternity care.

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named MyMichigan Medical Center Alma a 2026 Maternity Care Access Hospital.

This designation recognizes hospitals offering essential maternity services to underserved communities and is also part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings. These ratings are intended to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care providers, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity services that best meet their family’s needs. Now in its third year, the Maternity Care Access Hospital designation recognizes essential hospitals serving communities that would otherwise be in danger of becoming maternity care deserts if they were to stop providing crucial maternity care services.

“As a Maternity Care Access Hospital, we take great pride in serving our community by ensuring essential maternity services are always accessible and this designation reflects our commitment to providing the highest quality care for mothers and their babies,” stated Marita Hattem-Schiffman, president of MyMichigan Medical Centers in Alma, Clare, and Mt. Pleasant. “We know a homelike environment is so important to families during this special time. Our recently renovated obstetrics unit features private rooms, each equipped with a spacious private bathroom and shower. We also offer a family waiting area designed for privacy and comfort, complemented by advanced technology, infant-tracking systems, among other amenities. Our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and staff work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of every patient and newborn.”

U.S. News evaluated approximately 900 hospitals nationwide for the 2026 ratings, and just 147 hospitals – or 16% of all evaluated hospitals – have been designated as Maternity Care Access Hospitals. Hospitals were evaluated based on detailed data submitted to U.S. News via the annual Maternity Services Survey.

“The Maternity Care Access Hospital designation is a crucial acknowledgement of hospitals that deliver high-quality maternity care in underserved areas,” said Jennifer Winston, health data scientist at U.S. News. “These 147 hospitals are essential – they meet U.S. News’ strict quality measures for safety and outcomes while simultaneously ensuring that geographical isolation does not prevent families from receiving the care they need.”

The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, severe unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, and birthing-friendly practices, among other measures.

Those interested in learning more can visit U.S. News & World Report’s maternity hospital ratings.