Maternal Care Excellence, Quality Affirmed by Joint Commission
MyMichigan Medical Center Midland received a positive Maternal Level of Care verification report from The Joint Commission following a recent review of the hospital’s maternity program. The verification process evaluates hospitals against national standards for quality and patient safety, reviewing clinical care, safety procedures, and systems that support safe care for patients, staff, and the community.
“This verification reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses and team members who work every day to provide safe, high-quality care,” said Tonia Vanwieren, B.S.N., R.N., system nursing director of maternal child and women’s health for MyMichigan Health. “The review process helps us evaluate our work, strengthen our systems and continue providing the best care possible for the patients and communities we serve.”
Program evaluators recognized the team’s strong quality and performance improvement efforts, driven by robust, data-informed decision making. By continuously reviewing patient outcomes and clinical metrics, the maternity team works to strengthen care practices and improve health outcomes for mothers and babies across the region.
Also noted, was a key strength of the program in its focus on collaboration and community support. As part of that effort, MyMichigan has embedded a medical social worker within the obstetrics office, creating a strong safety net for patients who need mental health support, community resources, or additional care coordination during pregnancy and postpartum.
“Families benefit from a wide range of education and support services we offer, including childbirth education classes, lactation support, Post-Birth Warning Signs education, and new parent support groups designed to help families feel confident and supported as they welcome a new baby,” said Vanwieren.
Patient safety remains a top priority for MyMichigan Medical Center Midland’s maternity team. Staff regularly train and prepare for obstetric emergencies, ensuring rapid recognition and response for conditions such as postpartum hemorrhage, maternal sepsis, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and maternal transport when higher levels of care are required. Interdisciplinary collaboration and simulation training help teams maintain readiness for these critical situations.
Program reviewers also highlighted the team’s strong commitment to staff education and professional development, including comprehensive orientation for new team members and ongoing training. Clinical staff maintain certification in fetal heart monitoring to ensure expert monitoring during labor. The program also uses enhanced recovery protocols and evidence-based labor support tools, including hydrotherapy, Spinning Babies® positioning techniques, birthing and peanut balls, nitrous oxide, and other comfort measures to support physiologic birth.
MyMichigan Medical Center Midland also participates in statewide maternal quality initiatives, including the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) and the Obstetrics Initiative (OBI). The maternity team collaborates regionally through Michigan’s perinatal quality initiatives and tracks outcomes using advanced reporting dashboards to guide ongoing improvements.
“Our maternity program reflects strong leadership, teamwork and collaboration across departments,” concluded VanWieren. “From coordination between obstetrics and emergency services to regular interdisciplinary quality meetings, our teams are committed to maintaining a culture of safety and continuous improvement for the families we serve.”
Those interested in more information on maternity care at MyMichigan, may visit www.mymichigan.org/maternity
