U.S. News & World Report names Providence Alaska Medical Center among nation's best for maternity care

Hospital is the only care center in Alaska to receive the high-performing designation for its labor and delivery services

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Providence Alaska Medical Center (PAMC) has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for providing Alaskans with high-quality maternity care.  

The hospital was among 817 care centers evaluated, with only half receiving recognition for high-quality maternity care. PAMC is the only hospital in Alaska to receive the 2025 High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancies) designation for its labor and delivery services. 

“We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to supporting families during one of the most precious times in their lives,” said Margaret M. Horvath, FACHE, executive director, Providence Alaska Children’s Hospital & Women's Services. “This recognition is a credit to the hard work and dedication of our caregivers to ensure we provide the best possible care to babies and mothers.” 

To achieve a “Best Hospital for Maternity Care” rating, hospitals must: 

• Have C-section rates 22% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
• Have severe unexpected newborn complication rates 44% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
• Have breast milk feeding rates 12% higher compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News. 

These hospitals are also 13% more likely to report race/ethnicity data for both C-section and severe unexpected newborn complications compared with maternity care hospitals that were not recognized. 

Providence Alaska was also in the U.S. News 2024-2025 Best Hospitals rankings, where it was rated “High Performing” in the treatment of six conditions — Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Stroke, Kidney Failure, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and Pneumonia — and named “Best Regional Hospital for Equitable Access,” one of only 53 regional hospitals recognized and the only hospital in Alaska to receive this honor.   

U.S. News began evaluating maternity care hospitals in 2021, rating hospitals that provide labor and delivery services and submit detailed data to the publication for analysis. For the 2025 edition, 817 hospitals, an all-time high, submitted maternity data for evaluation. These public ratings assist expectant parents, in consultation with their doctors, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care for uncomplicated births. 

"With a record-breaking number of hospitals evaluated, U.S. News’ 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings represent the most comprehensive resource yet for expectant parents,” said Jennifer Winston, Ph.D., health data scientist at U.S. News. “These high-performing hospitals showcase exceptional care for expectant parents, demonstrating significantly lower C-section rates and severe unexpected newborn complications compared to hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.” 

For more information, visit Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, Overview of U.S. News 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, and search #BestMaternityHospitals on Facebook and Instagram. 

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About Providence Alaska Medical Center
Providence Alaska Medical Center, a nationally recognized trauma center and Alaska’s only Magnet hospital, is part of Providence, a not-for-profit network of hospitals, care centers, health plans, physicians, clinics, home health services, affiliated services and educational facilities. For more information, visit providence.org/locations/ak/alaska-medical-center. 

About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.