Fisher-Titus praised for healthy babies initiatives

NORWALK — Fisher-Titus recently received what's known as a five-star designation through the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies initiative, the highest level of recognition offered by this program. The Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Department of Health jointly presented this certification. "Receiving the five-star designation in the first-steps program is a testament to our team's unwavering commitment to the health of our mothers and newborns," said Katie Chieda, Fisher-Titus' chief nursing and population health officer. "We are proud of the work being done every day to support breastfeeding families in our community." Here's some more information to better understand this accomplishment as explained by Fisher-Titus: • What: "Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies is a voluntary breastfeeding designation program that recognizes maternity centers across Ohio for implementing evidence-based practices to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in their organizations. Hospitals can earn up to five stars." • How: "The hospital earned its five-star status by successfully completing all ten steps of the program with one star awarded for every two steps achieved, demonstrating a sustained commitment to breastfeeding support across its entire maternity care continuum." • Why: "Skin-to-skin contact after birth has been made a standard for all deliveries, including cesarean births, with skin-to-skin beginning as soon as the mother reaches the postpartum room. This early connection between mother and baby is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to support breastfeeding." • More: "Fisher-Titus was also awarded the Gold-Level Father/Partner Engagement Award, recognizing the hospital's commitment to actively involving fathers and partners in the breastfeeding journey." "This achievement reflects years of effort by our birthing center staff to integrate breastfeeding support into every aspect of the care we provide. It truly is a team accomplishment," said April Woody, Fisher-Titus' senior director of nursing services.