News Release

FORT WAYNE — Kosciusko Community Hospital has been honored for its infant and maternal care.

Four Lutheran Health Network hospitals have been recognized by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA), in partnership with Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Kristina Box, M.D., FACOG, for their commitment to infant and maternal health at the first annual INspire Hospital of Distinction recognition program.

INspire, funded by the Indiana Department of Health’s Safety PIN grant, was developed to implement the delivery of best practice care for Hoosier moms and babies and recognize hospitals for excellence in addressing key drivers of infant and maternal health.

Others recognized included Lutheran Hospital, Dupont Hospital and Bluffton Regional Medical Center. They earned INspire Hospital of Distinction recognition by meeting the criteria in four or five of the 2020 categories, which include infant safe sleep, breastfeeding, tobacco prevention and cessation, perinatal substance use and obstetric hemorrhage.

“It is our privilege to work with Gov. Holcomb, Dr. Box and so many others to improve the health of women and children in our community and across Indiana. We are honored that four of our hospitals received the highest level of recognition and we will continue our work in this important area,” said Natalie Seaber, RN, MHA, CNML, Regional Chief Nursing Officer, Lutheran Health Network. 

“Indiana’s birthing hospitals are critical partners as we work to drive down infant mortality,” Holcomb said. “Thanks to their efforts, Indiana’s infant mortality rate has fallen to the lowest level in state recorded history. Together we will continue this important work to save even more lives and give every Hoosier newborn the best opportunity ahead.”

“I am inspired by the work and passion our birthing hospitals bring to make sure all babies born in Indiana have the best start at life,” Box said. “Reducing infant and maternal mortality requires a multi-pronged approach over the course of many years to see impactful change. We’re seeing that change happen, but we can’t stop now. We must continue to adopt best practices so that we can celebrate more first birthdays in Indiana.”

Box noted that among many successes, Indiana has seen a nearly 30% drop in Indiana’s black infant mortality rate in just two years.