(Pittsburg, KS) – Eleven Mercy hospitals across four states were recognized as Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. This recognition continues a tradition of compassionate care for women and children that began nearly 200 years ago with the Sisters of Mercy.
Mercy hospitals that earned the 2026 Maternity Care Access Hospitals rating include:
- Pittsburg, Kansas
- Aurora, Jefferson, and Washington in Missouri
- Ardmore, Oklahoma
Now in its third year, the Maternity Care Access Hospital designation recognizes essential hospitals that offer maternity services to underserved communities that would otherwise be in danger of becoming maternity care deserts if they were to stop providing crucial maternity care services. Based on the 900 hospitals that submitted data to U.S. News, just 147 hospitals — or 16% of all evaluated hospitals — were designated as Maternity Care Access Hospitals. The designation is also part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings.
Best Hospitals for Maternity Care 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.
“Hospitals designated as a U.S. News Best Hospital for Maternity Care are national leaders. This recognition means they are consistently hitting crucial patient safety benchmarks compared to other hospitals,” said Jennifer Winston, Ph.D., health data scientist at U.S. News. “It’s a clear signal to expectant parents about where the highest standards of care are being practiced. When parents see this designation, they can be assured they are choosing a hospital dedicated to exceptional, evidence-based maternity care.”
About Mercy
Mercy, one of the 20 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized quality care and one of the nation’s largest Accountable Care Organizations. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has 900 physician practices and outpatient facilities, more than 4,000 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 45,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Reference:
Jordan Larimore, Senior Media Relations & Communications
Mercy Hospital Joplin
409.550.2928
jordan.larimore@mercy.net
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