Covenant Health Hospitals Named Among Tennessee’s BEST for Babies

Four Covenant Health hospitals have received BEST for Babies awards for 2019, announced recently by Tennessee Hospital Association and the Tennessee Department of Health. The hospitals are Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Parkwest Medical Center, Methodist Medical Center and LeConte Medical Center.

Created in 2016, the “BEST for Babies” award celebrates hospitals across the state for their efforts to reduce infant deaths and improve the health of Tennessee’s newborns.

The Covenant Health hospitals are the only Knoxville-area hospitals to receive the BEST for Babies award this year. In 2019, 6,564 babies were delivered among Covenant Health’s four award-winning hospitals.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from THA and the Tennessee Department of Health,” said Debbi Honey, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Covenant Health. “The award represents the dedication of our physicians, nurses and staff members who provide excellent care, security and comfort for newborns and their families.”

The BEST award stands for breastfeeding, early elective delivery reduction and safe sleep for Tennessee babies. Award-winning hospitals have successfully increased breastfeeding initiation rates, minimized early elective deliveries and promoted healthy sleep practices for babies. Eighteen hospitals in the state met rigorous criteria for the 2019 award, an increase from just four hospitals in 2018 and seven in 2017.

“We want all families in our region to feel educated, safe and confident when it comes to their baby’s start in life,” Honey said. “We are proud to offer outstanding birth experiences at our hospitals, and congratulate Fort Sanders Regional, Parkwest, LeConte and Methodist Medical Centers for receiving ‘BEST for Babies’ awards.”