MONTROSE, CO: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment awarded Montrose Regional Health with the Colorado Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence. Montrose Regional Health was honored with the Celebrate 6 Award in 2020 and again this year. The Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence honors hospitals for having implemented at least six of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. These are evidence-based policies and practices known to increase breastfeeding success and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
“We are working very hard to help our new moms have the best experience with breastfeeding,” said Jonna Hogue, LPN and Lactation Consultant at Montrose Regional Health. “We follow most of the guidelines for a Baby-Friendly Hospital, as well as offering formula and pacifiers for the mothers who choose to bottle feed. We encourage breastfeeding as the primary recommendation as this is evidence based.”
The hospital invests time and energy into the lactation program to ensure it meets the needs of mothers in our communities, Hogue adds – including verifying staff knowledge and competencies and encouraging skin to skin contact to promote successful breastfeeding. The Lactation Follow Program at MRH is available for up to a year after childbirth to equip breastfeeding mothers with knowledge and counseling, and more. “We are here for our patients and to support their breastfeeding needs.”
The CDPHE recognized 45 hospitals for their efforts to promote breastfeeding and offer healthier food and beverage options through the Colorado Healthy Hospital Compact and Colorado Baby-Friendly Hospital Collaborative. These initiatives are part of the state’s work to promote healthy eating and active living to reduce the rates of death and disease from chronic illness among Coloradans.
In addition to Montrose Regional Health, CDPHE recognized 40 other Colorado hospitals with the Celebrate 6 Award. Roughly three-quarters of hospitals offering maternity services in Colorado received the award in both 2020 and this year. Seven hospitals received
the award for the first time.
About Montrose Regional Health (www.MontroseHealth.com)
Montrose Regional Health is a 501(c)3 nonprofit healthcare system serving Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, Gunnison, Delta, Hinsdale and San Juan counties. The hospital is licensed for 75-beds and offers an extensive range of inpatient & outpatient health care services, including cardiology, oncology, minimally invasive surgery, laboratory, medical imaging/radiology, Mountain View Therapy, Acute Rehabilitation Unit, advanced respiratory & pulmonary services, and the family birthing center. The health system has a reputation for acquiring the latest technologies in healthcare, from robotic assisted surgical services to UVC-disinfection technology. Montrose Regional Health is the second-largest employer in Montrose County, with more than 700 employees and 100 providers who represent 23 medical specialties. With a tagline that reads Caring for you like family, the health system is known for its warm patient care.