Mercy Hospital Southeast again named high-performing hospital for maternity care
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Mercy Hospital Southeast has been recognized as a 2026 High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report, earning the designation for the fifth consecutive year and standing as the only hospital in southeast Missouri to receive the honor.
The designation is the highest awarded in U.S. News’ annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care study and evaluates hospitals on measures including cesarean rates in low-risk pregnancies, rates of severe newborn complications, exclusive breast milk feeding, and use of birthing-friendly practices.
“This designation reaffirms the excellent care our moms and babies receive every day,” said Britton May, nurse manager of the Mercy Southeast Birthplace. “Our caregivers work closely as a team to provide personalized, high-quality care for every patient.”
Mercy Hospital Southeast has provided continuous obstetrics services since opening in 1928 and has delivered tens of thousands of babies. The hospital offers a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a comprehensive lactation program, trial of labor after cesarean birth, and specialty services through Mercy Clinic Women’s Health in Cape Girardeau.
Mercy Southeast was one of eight Mercy hospitals nationwide to receive the 2026 High Performing designation. Other recognized Mercy hospitals are located in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Approximately 900 hospitals nationwide submitted maternity data for the 2026 rankings, with fewer than 500 earning the High Performing designation. The ratings are intended to help expectant parents, in consultation with their health care providers, make informed decisions about maternity care.
“Hospitals designated as a U.S. News Best Hospital for Maternity Care are consistently meeting key patient safety benchmarks,” said Jennifer Winston, a health data scientist at U.S. News & World Report. “This designation signals a commitment to evidence-based, high-quality maternity care.”
