(MURFREESBORO) The Tennessee Department of Health presented St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital with 2019 "BEST for Babies" award.

St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital President and CEO Gordon Ferguson noted, "Saint Thomas Rutherford is thrilled to receive this commendation from the Tennessee Department of Health. Our team of experts works around the clock to provide high-caliber care for the babies and parents of Middle Tennessee."

The "BEST for Babies" award was created in 2016 as an extension of the state's ongoing partnership with birthing hospitals to reduce infant mortality rates and improve the health of Tennessee's newborns. Facilities are selected based on year-to-year success in increasing breastfeeding initiation rates, minimizing instances of premature delivery, and promoting healthy sleep practices for babies. The acronym "BEST" stands for "breast-feeding initiation, early elective delivery elimination, safe sleep education, and modeling for Tennessee babies." Awardees must meet rigorous benchmarks in each area.

ABOUT ASCENSION SAINT THOMAS

In Tennessee, Ascension Saint Thomas operates nine hospitals in addition to a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities that cover a 68-county area and employ more than 8,000 associates.? Across the state, Ascension Saint Thomas provided more than $137 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2019. Serving Tennessee for 15 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., operating 2,600 sites of care - including 150 hospitals and more than 50 senior living facilities - in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.Ascension.org.