LifePoint Health Facilities Recognized by March of Dimes

Sixteen hospitals commended for reducing the number of early elective deliveries to less than one percent

LifePoint Health^® LPNT, a leading healthcare company dedicated to Making Communities Healthier^®, has once again earned recognition from March of Dimes for giving babies across the country a healthier start. This month, 16 additional LifePoint facilities have been recognized for successfully reducing the number of elective inductions and cesarean deliveries performed before 39 weeks of pregnancy to less than one percent (1%) of all deliveries. These hospitals join a group of 30 other LifePoint facilities that were recognized for achieving this notable milestone in 2016.

"Healthy communities start with healthy babies, and we are so proud to now have 46 of our facilities leading the way to help ensure that our youngest patients have the best possible start in life," said Russell Holman, MD, chief medical officer of LifePoint Health. "We commend this new group of facilities for working hard to implement the right processes and procedures, and for creating supportive environments in which mothers and families are encouraged to embrace full-term pregnancy."

The 16 LifePoint facilities earning recognition in 2018 include:

• Acadian Medical Center, Eunice, Louisiana
• Fauquier Health, Warrenton, Virginia
• Meadowview Regional Medical Center, Maysville, Kentucky
• Memorial Medical Center of Las Cruces, Las Cruces, New Mexico
• Minden Medical Center, Minden, Louisiana
• Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, Elko, Nevada
• Palestine Regional Medical Center, Palestine, Texas
• Riverview Regional Medical Center, Carthage, Tennessee
• SageWest Health Care, Lander, Wyoming, and Riverton, Wyoming
• Sovah Health Danville, Danville, Virginia
• Sovah Health Martinsville, Martinsville, Virginia
• Starr Regional Medical Center, Athens, Tennessee, and Etowah, Tennessee
• UP Health System-Bell, Ishpeming, Michigan
• Watertown Regional Medical Center, Watertown, Wisconsin
• Wilson Medical Center, Wilson, North Carolina
• Wythe County Community Hospital, Wytheville, Virginia

Studies have shown that babies born even just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants, according to March of Dimes. Although the overall risk of infant death at term is low, the rate of infant death is more than twice as high for infants born at 37 weeks of pregnancy compared to infants born at 40 weeks. Babies who survive an early birth have a higher risk of lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities.

Key to the hospitals' success has been helping to educate communities that "Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait®." To support the facilities with raising awareness, March of Dimes provided participating LifePoint hospitals with both professional and consumer education materials addressing the critical importance of full-term pregnancy to the health and well-being of babies.

LifePoint is committed to this important work and will continue supporting its facilities with tools, resources and strategies that will help them reduce early elective deliveries. The goal is for all LifePoint facilities offering obstetrical care to achieve this milestone and recognition in future years.

About March of Dimes

March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For nearly 80 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and health information, visit marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. If you have been affected by prematurity or birth defects, visit our shareyourstory.org community to find comfort and support. For detailed national, state and local perinatal statistics, visit peristats.org. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter. @marchofdimes

About LifePoint Health

LifePoint Health^® LPNT is a leading healthcare company dedicated to Making Communities Healthier^®. Through its subsidiaries, it provides quality inpatient, outpatient and post-acute services close to home. LifePoint owns and operates community hospitals, regional health systems, physician practices, outpatient centers and post-acute facilities in 22 states. It is the sole community healthcare provider in the majority of the non-urban communities it serves. More information about the company can be found at www.LifePointHealth.net. All references to "LifePoint," "LifePoint Health" or the "Company" used in this release refer to affiliates or subsidiaries of LifePoint Health, Inc.

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