UNC Health Chatham Maternity Care Center Receives Prestigious Baby-Friendly Designation
UNC Health Chatham is proud to announce that its Maternity Care Center has achieved the internationally recognized Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States.
This distinguished honor demonstrates that UNC Health Chatham’s Maternity Care Center is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.
“For families, the first hours and days after birth can feel like a whirlwind,” said Beverly Carpenter, Patient Services Manager in the Maternity Care Center at UNC Health Chatham. “Baby-Friendly designation validates the way our staff shows up at the bedside—listening first, offering hands-on help, and tailoring guidance to each family’s goals. We’re proud to provide a welcoming environment where parents feel confident, respected, and cared for.”
The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world. For example, the Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated that “Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.”
“Achieving Baby-Friendly designation reflects our commitment to evidence-based, compassionate care for mothers and newborns,” said Dr. Dana Iglesias, Medical Director for the Maternity Care Center at UNC Health Chatham. “From skin-to-skin bonding to individualized lactation support, our teams work together to ensure families receive consistent education and encouragement—so parents can make informed feeding decisions and feel supported every step of the way.”
UNC Health Chatham joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, including hundreds of facilities in the United States. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman’s right to make the best decision for herself and her family. This recognition follows the UNC Health Chatham Maternity Care Center’s recent designation as “High Performing” by U.S. News & World Report in their 2026 list of the nation’s “Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.”
Pictured right: Left to right: Beverly Carpenter, Patient Services Manager in the Maternity Care Center; Eric Wolak, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer; Dr. Andrew Hannapel, Chief Medical Officer; and Dr. Dana Iglesias, Medical Director for the Maternity Care Center, outside the Maternity Care Center at UNC Health Chatham.
About UNC Health Chatham
UNC Health Chatham is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital located in Siler City, NC. that is part of the UNC Health System. With a long history of providing high quality health care to the residents of Chatham and surrounding counties, UNC Health Chatham has received multiple five-star ratings for patient experience from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The hospital, accredited by The Joint Commission, provides surgical, medical, pediatric, maternity and emergency services. Community based outpatient services in the area of Diabetes Education, Laboratory, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Imaging, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Pulmonary Rehabilitation are also offered. More information about UNC Health Chatham may be found at chathamhospital.org.
About Baby-Friendly USA
As the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States, Baby-Friendly USA is responsible for upholding the highest standards in infant feeding care by coordinating and conducting all activities necessary to confer the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation and ensure the widespread adoption of the BFHI in the US. Learn more about Baby-Friendly USA and the BFHI at babyfriendlyusa.org.
