NGHS receives National Recognition for Exceptional Maternity Care

By Emily Kerns, Public Relations and Marketing for Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS)

Expectant mothers and newborns across northeast Georgia can count on receiving some of the nation’s safest, high-quality maternity care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville, Braselton, and Habersham, according to independent national ratings. All three maternity hospitals, which are part of Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), earned the highest possible rating of “High Performing” in U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

According to the U.S. News, this recognition means patients at all three hospitals experience care that is well above average on measures that matter most to families, including lower rates of unexpected complications, fewer unnecessary C-sections, and strong support for exclusive breastfeeding.

“Families can feel confident knowing they are receiving nationally recognized care at our hospitals,” said Heather Howell, executive director for NGMC’s Women & Children’s Services. “Our top priority is safety for mothers and their children, and these awards reflect our team’s unwavering commitment to providing the compassionate care our communities deserve.”

In addition, the U.S. News also recognized NGMC Gainesville, Braselton, and Habersham as “Maternity Care Access” Hospitals. This designation flags hospitals that are the only facility providing maternity care to their community – helping ensure families are not left in what might otherwise become “maternity care deserts.” 

Only 92 hospitals in the nation received both the High Performing rating and the Maternity Care Access designation, placing NGMC among a select group delivering both exceptional quality and vital access.

“From continually improving maternity care at those three hospitals, to operating neonatal intensive care units in Gainesville and Braselton, to leading a national grant-funded project with other hospitals across the state to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rates in Georgia and more – our physicians, nurses, staff, volunteers and leaders are always working to ensure happy and healthy lives for mothers and their children,” said Brett Barger, MD, OB chair for NGMC’s Women & Children’s Services and an OB/GYN with Longstreet Clinic.

For more information about Women & Children’s Services at NGHS, visit nghs.com/women.  

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through five hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega, and Demorest – with a total of more than 1,000 beds and more than 1,500 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com. 

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NGHS_Maternity_Care: NGMC Gainesville, Braselton, and Habersham were recently honored by U.S. News & World Report as “High Performing” hospitals for maternity care and designated as “Maternity Care Access” facilities—placing them among just 92 hospitals nationwide recognized for both exceptional quality and vital access.