Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka ranked high performing for maternity care, sets record with 1,000 babies born in 2025

Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka entered 2026 with major milestones to celebrate, including welcoming 1,000 babies in 2025 and earning a High Performing designation in maternity care from U.S. News & World Report. The national publication evaluated nearly 900 hospitals, recognizing those that demonstrate exceptional quality and safety.

U.S. News began evaluating maternity hospitals in 2021, rating facilities that provide labor and delivery services and submit detailed data analysis. Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings help expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care team, make informed decisions about where to receive maternity services that best meet their family’s needs.

“This award belongs to our physicians, midwives, advanced practice providers and caregivers who deliver nationally recognized, high-quality maternity care,” said Michael Keleman, chief executive. “We are delivering nationally recognized care in a rural area. This honor affirms that the highest standards of care are being delivered every day to our neighbors, families and friends, especially as we celebrate welcoming 1,000 babies in 2025.”

Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care based on exemplary performance on a range of objective quality measures, such as rates of avoidable Cesarean-sections, exclusive breast milk feeding, unexpected newborn complication rates, birthing-friendly practices and transparency on racial/ethnic health inequities. 

“Our caregivers bring exceptional skills and deep compassion to every delivery,” said Michelle Harrison, Childbirth Center and NICU Director. “This recognition from US News and World Report underscores the hospital’s focus on quality and outcomes for our birthing families.”

The hospital celebrated another major milestone in 2025: a record-setting 1,000 babies born. 

“Welcoming 1,000 babies in a single year is a beautiful reminder of the trust our community places in us,” said Harrison. “Each birth represents a family’s hope, joy and future, and we are honored to be a part of those moments.” 

The hospital’s commitment to families extends far beyond delivering babies.  

Caregivers from the Childbirth Center also brought compassion and creativity to the Humboldt County Fair in 2025 by co-hosting the Lactation Station, a welcoming place for families to rest, recharge and receive support. In addition, the Better Birthing Project at Providence aims to honor tribal cultures by using native doulas, creating birth plans that respect traditions, reflecting the hospital’s dedication to culturally inclusive care and to strengthening the health and well-being of all those it serves.