HSHS St. Vincent Hospital receives international recognition as a baby-friendly designated birth facility
Green Bay – HSHS St. Vincent Hospital has received prestigious, international recognition as a Baby-Friendly designated birth facility, by Baby-Friendly USA, Inc.
Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) – a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nationals Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.
“HSHS St. Vincent Hospital is the first in Green Bay to receive this certification and we are proud of the work that has been put in to achieve it,” said Bonnie Teuteberg, Director of Women and Infant Services for HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. “We know that by practicing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the moms and babies we care for will have a wonderful beginning together and health benefits that will last over the child’s lifetime.”
There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently, there are269 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The Baby-Friendly designation is given after a rigorous, on-site survey is completed. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as demonstrated by quality processes.
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About HSHS St. Vincent Hospital
HSHS St. Vincent Hospital has been delivering quality health care to Green Bay and its surrounding communities since 1888. Patients from Northeastern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan benefit from a comprehensive range of services that include cancer care, women’s services, emergency and trauma care, preventive care across the lifespan, digestive health, orthopedic, cardiac care, neurosciences, rehabilitation and pediatrics. An affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System, the hospital’s primary purpose is to continue Christ’s healing love through the delivery of competent and compassionate health care in an environment sensitive to the needs of all people. HSHS St. Vincent Hospital has been named one of the “100 Top Hospitals” nationwide and is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. As an affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System, we draw on the history of St. Francis of Assisi as we move to continue serving the health care needs of our area in Christ’s healing ministry, caring for all people.
About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality Franciscan health care ministry. Sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our 14 Local Systems and physician practices in Illinois (Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield, Springfield and Streator) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org.
