Margaret Mary Health is proud to announce it has been honored with the Community Impact Award from the Indiana Department of Health and its Indiana State Office of Rural Health.

Each year, this award is presented to one rural Indiana hospital that stands out for its leadership in improving the health and well-being of its community. MMH received the recognition for its efforts in creating a sustainable model for maternity and neonatal care in rural areas — helping ensure families have access to the care they need, close to home.

When faced with a shortage of healthcare providers to provide neonatal services, MMH had to act quickly or risk permanently closing its maternity unit. According to the Indiana Hospital Association, 14 OB units have shut down in Indiana over the last five years.

Thanks to an innovative collaboration with Riley Children’s Health in Indianapolis, MMH was able to continue offering the service by establishing a team of neonatal-trained advanced practice providers who collaborate remotely with neonatal specialists from Riley Children’s Health.

“It’s a true honor to receive the Community Impact Award from the Indiana State Office of Rural Health,” said MMH President and CEO Liz Leising. “Since opening our doors in 1932, Margaret Mary Health has been dedicated to delivering newborns, and we take great pride in continuing this tradition. Without local maternity care, increased travel time could pose many challenges for expectant mothers.”

According to a March of Dimes report, almost 24 percent of Indiana counties are classified as maternity care deserts, meaning they have limited or no access to maternity care services. By shining a spotlight on hospitals like MMH, this award celebrates the hard work being done across Indiana to strengthen rural healthcare and share successful practices with other hospitals throughout the state.

Pictured: Dr. Laura Haneline, Division Chief of Neonatology at IU School of Medicine and Riley Children’s Health, presents this year’s Community Impact Award to the obstetric team at MMH. From left: Stephanie Larison, OB Manager; Dr. Sandra Hoesli, Nursery Medical Director and Riley Children’s Health Neonatologist; Devan Reuss, CNO; Ashley Acajabon, NP; Dr. Laura Haneline; Patrice Mabra, NP; Cynthia Rogier, NP; Hayley Borgman, PA; Shelbie Hooton, NP; Liz Leising, CEO and Vickie Raible, Director of Acute Care