Covenant Health LeConte Named in Newsweek’s 2026 List of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals

Covenant Health LeConte has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2026. This national distinction is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate exceptional quality, safety and patient experience in maternity care. The 2026 ranking, developed in partnership with Statista, honors 460 hospitals across the United States that excel in clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and reputation among medical professionals.  

The Newsweek evaluation incorporates multiple data sources, including quality metrics from federal and national organizations, patient experience surveys and a nationwide survey of physicians, nurses and midwives. Hospitals must meet or exceed rigorous performance thresholds to earn a place on the list.  

Our Commitment to Care 

“We are incredibly proud of our Covenant Health LeConte team for earning national recognition as one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals,” said Debbi Honey, MHA, RN, CPHQ, CENP, FAONL, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Covenant Health. “This honor reflects the exceptional dedication of our nurses, physicians and care teams who work tirelessly to ensure that every mother and baby receives the highest standard of care. Our team’s commitment to safety, compassion and clinical excellence is truly remarkable.” 

That commitment is felt throughout Covenant Health LeConte. Aaron Burns, chief administrative officer of Covenant Health LeConte shared, “This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the trust families in our community place in Covenant Health LeConte during some of life’s most important moments. Being named to America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2026 honors the dedication of our caregivers who serve their neighbors with compassion, skill and heart. We are proud to walk alongside mothers and families in our region and remain deeply committed to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming place to grow their families.” 

Trusted Maternity Care in East Tennessee 

At Covenant Health LeConte we welcome more than 650 babies each year, and we’re honored to be a trusted part of so many families’ stories. We offer maternity services through our Dolly Parton Birthing Unit, supporting mothers, newborns and families. From prenatal care and labor and delivery to postpartum support and newborn care, we are your trusted partner through it all. 

We’re proud to partner with Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital to ensure newborns who need extra support have immediate access to specialized neonatal care. Through this collaboration, newborns can receive care from a dedicated team of neonatal nurse practitioners and neonatologists if needed. 

Safety and quality guide everything we do, and our teams are committed to supporting you and your baby every step of the way. Through our partnership, families at Covenant Health LeConte have access to the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital in Knoxville, equipped to care for very small, premature or critically ill newborns without leaving the region. 

Maternity Care in Your Community 

Our trusted maternity professionals are here to care for you throughout your childbirth journey. Visit our website to learn more about our maternity program and connect with an experienced OB/GYN on our team.