L+M has been named a 2026 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care. Team members include (l-r): Jessica Sionni, RN, Maternity; Zainab Cole, RN, director of Nursing Excellence, Women and Children, Critical Care; Sarah Cross, MD, L+M chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Sharelle Sorensen, RN, nursing professional development specialist.
Lawrence + Memorial Hospital has been named a 2026 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report – the highest award a hospital can achieve in the annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care study. This is the first time L+M has earned this rating.
U.S. News evaluated 901 hospitals nationwide for its 2026 ratings edition; only 92 earned the additional “High Performing” rating.
“The U.S. News & World Report rankings serve as a meaningful reflection of the high standards we set for maternity care,” said Richard Lisitano, L+M president. “This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional care to every mother who turns to us.”
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary dedication of our entire team – physicians, nurses and staff – who work tirelessly to deliver the highest level of care to mothers and their babies,” said Sarah Cross, MD, chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at L+M and associate professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine. “Our continued focus on innovation, patient safety and clinical excellence drives us to keep raising the bar every day.”
In addition to the full array of services in its 24 bed Maternity unit, L+M has the only Level IIIA Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in southeastern Connecticut. For the past 12 years, L+M has been designated as a Baby Friendly hospital, following the policies established by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to promote and support breastfeeding.
The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care is based entirely on objective quality measures, including rates of C-sections in lower-risk pregnancies; severe unexpected newborn complications, exclusive breast milk feeding rates; birthing-friendly practices; and reporting on racial and ethnic disparities, among other measures.
