UNC Health Chatham Maternity Care Center Celebrates Recognition on U.S. News for “Best Maternity Care” List

Ceremony recognizes team’s commitment to high-quality, compassionate care for families across Chatham County and beyond

UNC Health Chatham’s Maternity Care Center was recognized by U.S. News & World Report in their 2026 list of the nation’s “Best Hospitals for Maternity Care” and was designated “High Performing”, honoring the team’s commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care for families across Chatham County and beyond. The hospital marked the recognition this week with a ceremony celebrating the multidisciplinary team that supports patients from labor and delivery through postpartum recovery.

Hospital leaders, physicians, nurses and teammates, community members and health care partners gathered to recognize the coordinated care that supports patients throughout pregnancy, delivery and recovery. Speakers highlighted the unit’s focus on safety, communication and compassionate support—an approach that has helped welcome nearly 900 babies at UNC Health Chatham over the last five years.

Dr. Andrew Hannapel, chief medical officer at UNC Health Chatham, said, “This recognition reflects the exceptional teamwork and unwavering focus on safety and compassion that our patients and families experience every day. We are proud to celebrate our Maternity Care Center staff and the families who trust us with some of life’s most important moments. We do this work—even when it’s hard—so that families have local access to the care they need and deserve when it matters most.”

A highlight of the event was a visit from Ailani and Armando—the first twins born on the unit—now 9 months old. They returned with their parents to celebrate the team that cared for their family when they were born at 25 weeks’ gestation. Their mother, Daniela Quintanilla, shared her gratitude with staff during the surprise visit.

“This is a team willing to give their absolute all; to put themselves in the patient’s shoes and say: ‘We must give our all. We must show her that she is not alone; that she has no reason to be afraid. That, yes, we can do this,’” Quintanilla said, recalling her arrival at the hospital.

Quintanilla continued, “Whether it was the doctors or the anesthesiologists or the nurses—they were all wonderful, so attentive, and, above all, incredibly prepared for the situation at hand. There was no panic. I know that this kind of very early pregnancy complication is not what anyone hopes for. Yet, despite that, a highly specialized, highly prepared team was right there with me. I feel deeply grateful because, thanks to their talent and their hard work, we are here with my children—alive—bearing witness... to the fact that we are still here, full of hope.”

The U.S. News & World Report “Top Hospitals for Maternity Care” designation highlights hospitals that provide high-quality care for uncomplicated pregnancies and help expectant parents choose where to welcome their babies. At UNC Health Chatham, multidisciplinary teams prioritize safety, clear communication and compassionate support for every patient and family.

“Each of our 900 babies is a reminder of why we choose this path. In a rural hospital, we build meaningful relationships while preserving access, dignity, and trust.,” said Beverly Carpenter, patient services manager for the Maternity Center. “Through 5 years of service to our community, and a continued commitment to training and preparedness, we are strengthening the future of rural maternal and neonatal care.”

UNC Health Chatham’s maternity care teams work together across specialties to support patients through delivery, recovery, and the transition home. The hospital continues to invest in evidence-based practices, staff training, and a culture of clear communication to help ensure families receive timely, respectful, and reliable care.

Photo Caption: Physicians and nurses from the UNC Health Chatham Maternity Care Center reconnect with the Quintanilla family at a celebration following the center’s U.S. News & World Report designation. Nine-month-old Ailani and Armando were the unit’s first twins, born at just 25 weeks’ gestation.