As ‘maternity deserts’ become increasingly common in rural America, DHMC and Cheshire are providing critically important care for women, babies and families, and they’re doing so with demonstrated excellence.
Joanne M. Conroy, MDTwo Dartmouth Health member hospitals were recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its annual ranking of best maternity care hospitals for uncomplicated pregnancies. Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) was ranked as high-performing in maternity care at the national level, and Cheshire Medical Center was recognized for achievement in maternity care access.
In ranking hospital maternity care, U.S. News evaluates how well hospitals perform in childbirth using rates of cesarean births, newborn severe complications, routine vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) deliveries, and episiotomies, as well as best practices to support breastfeeding, whether a hospital meets federal criteria for “birthing-friendly” practices, and whether a hospital tracked and reported disparities in outcomes. DHMC was one of 496 hospitals nationwide designated as high performing in 2026. Cheshire was recognized as it serves an area that depends on it for essential maternity care services.
“As ‘maternity deserts’ become increasingly common in rural America, DHMC and Cheshire are providing critically important care for women, babies and families, and they’re doing so with demonstrated excellence,” said Joanne M. Conroy, MD, CEO and president of Dartmouth Health. “One of our core values as a health system is that the quality of medical care a person receives shouldn’t be dependent on their zip code. I’m so proud of our maternity care teams at DHMC and Cheshire for upholding this value, and congratulate them on their well-deserved recognition.”
“In 2024, Cheshire’s labor and delivery team was honored to be part of the birth experience for over 400 families,” said Brandi N. Ring, MD, MBA, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Cheshire. “This recognition reflects the dedication of an exceptional team dedicated to the needs of our community. Having Cheshire Medical Center in the heart of Keene and the Monadnock region allows us to make the labor and delivery experience more personal. From our volunteer doulas to our incredible nurses, aides, midwives and physicians—we are honored to be here for so many Keene and Monadnock families.”
“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, PhD, 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.”
Learn more about U.S. News & World Report’s maternity care rankings on their website.
About Cheshire Medical Center
Cheshire Medical Center (Cheshire) advances the health and wellness of individuals across New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region through outstanding care and exceptional service. Cheshire teams deliver an impressive range of clinical services that support the community's needs. As a member of Dartmouth Health, Cheshire is able to provide services far exceeding those of a typical rural hospital, including extensive programs in primary care, cancer care, cardiology, orthopaedics, and public health. Cheshire patients are also able to access hundreds of highly trained specialists and a depth of clinical and technical resources through its collaboration with Dartmouth Health. Cheshire’s clinical practice is distinguished by an exceptional staff, a strong commitment to safety and quality, and a culture that values the contribution of every staff member and volunteer. Cheshire is the area's largest healthcare provider and leading employer. Along with the services delivered on their Keene campus and satellite locations, the Medical Center partners with local organizations to provide vital services and programs throughout the region. To learn more, call 603-354-5400 or visit cheshiremed.org.
About Dartmouth Health
Dartmouth Health, New Hampshire’s only academic health system and largest private employer, serves patients across New England. Dartmouth Health provides access to more than 2,300 providers in nearly every area of medicine, delivering care at its flagship hospital, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, NH. Its network of hospitals, outpatient centers, clinics and home care facilities, spans a broad geographical area. Year after year, DHMC is named the #1 hospital in New Hampshire by U.S. News & World Report, and is consistently recognized for high performance in numerous clinical specialties and procedures. Dartmouth Health includes Dartmouth Cancer Center, northern New England’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of less than than 60 total nationally; Dartmouth Health Children’s, which includes the state’s only children’s hospital (Children’s Hospital at DHMC/CHaD) and more than 20 locations around the region; eight member hospitals in Lebanon, Keene, Claremont, Hampstead, and New London, NH, and Windsor and Bennington, VT; Dartmouth Health Home Care; Dartmouth Health Connected Care Center for Telehealth, serving patients as far away as Texas; and more than 30 primary and multi-specialty clinics across New Hampshire and Vermont. Through its partnership with Dartmouth College, Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and the White River Junction VA Medical Center, Dartmouth Health trains nearly 400 medical residents and fellows annually and performs cutting-edge research and clinical trials with international impact. Dartmouth Health and its more than 16,000 employees are committed to serving the healthcare needs of everyone in the communities it serves and to providing every patient with exceptional, state-of-the-art, personalized care. Learn more at dartmouth-health.org.