Chilton Medical Center Receives Baby-Friendly Designation

Baby-Friendly USA announced that Atlantic Health System’s Chilton Medical Center, has received prestigious international recognition as a Baby-Friendly designated birth facility. With the inclusion of Chilton, all Atlantic Health System maternity centers are now designated by Baby-Friendly USA, the only health care system in the state to have all of its maternity centers certified. Of the 11 hospitals certified in New Jersey, four are Atlantic Heath System sites.

“This designation helps us support our patients,” said Fran Drigun, Executive Director, Women’s Service Line, Atlantic Health System. “Baby-Friendly is about helping mothers bond with and breastfeed their babies and about giving our team members the tools and resources they need to support breastfeeding moms. As a Trusted Network of Caring, it makes sense that all of our maternity centers are able to provide that consistent support.”

“I am extremely proud of our maternity center team,” said Stephanie Schwartz, President, Chilton Medical Center. “This designation shows that we are committed to providing the best care to our mothers and babies.” Schwartz also remarked on the collaboration across the system. “We learned so much about the certification process from other AHS maternity centers. Thank you to Morristown, Newton and Overlook for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us.”

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 Nations 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 international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 483 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 as demonstrated by quality processes.

Further information about the U.S. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative may be obtained by visiting www.babyfriendlyusa.org.

Photo Caption:
Chilton Medical Center's Maternity Team Celebrates their Baby-Friendly Designation. Pictured are (bottom row left to right): Deb Migliorino RN, Lydia Hirsch RN, Donna Symons RN-Nurse Manager, Marcella Klepacki RN-Coordinator, Carmen Szabo RN, Amanda Tedeschi RN, Carol Young RN and (top row left to right): Julie Cerniglia RN, Donalyn Brooks RN, Laurel Cardenas RN, Sheryl Cafferata, Karen Bunero RN, Barb Helmlinger, Carol Boyce RN, Nelli Najem, Ida Melendez, Meg Johnstone IBCLC.