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Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Launch Evidence-Based Supportive Group Pregnancy Program West Orange, NJ, March 30, 2023 — RWJBarnabas Health is pleased to announce the launch of Centering Pregnancy® at three of its facilities including Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC), Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBI), and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH). Centering Pregnancy® is an evidence-based, clinically-led group prenatal care program that brings together expectant parents with similar pregnancy due dates to support healthy pregnancies and babies. Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center began the first cohort in January and additional cohorts will start at NBI and RWJUH over the next several months. Centering model cohorts, which typically include between eight and ten expectant parents at 14 to 17 weeks of pregnancy, provide a safe and supportive place for participants to engage and take an active role in their pregnancy care. The Centering model not only provides strong support and education for healthy moms and babies in a safe and comfortable environment, but also offers participants more time with providers than traditional prenatal care. According to Suzanne Spernal, DNP, APN-BC, RNC-OB, C-ONQS, Senior Vice President of Women’s Services at RWJBarnabas Health, “Moms who participate in CenteringPregnancy® feel more empowered and informed about their health and research has shown that the Centering model can lead to improved maternal and infant health outcomes and a better birth experience. This is another evidence-based care model that RWJBarnabas Health is implementing to ensure that all families have access to the highest quality and equitable maternity care.” In addition to in-person support, cohort members are connected to additional community resources to assist them with pregnancy and childcare and receive educational materials that address a variety of important topics, from nutrition and stress management to common discomforts, labor & delivery, infant care, and breastfeeding. The Centering model was developed by the Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) and results in better outcomes, including a reduction in preterm births, low birth weights, NICU admissions and NICU lengths of stay. At RWJBarnabas Health, maternal health is a top priority. With over 25,000 babies born each year, more than any other health system in New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change in maternal mortality and is proud to engage with a multitude of community partners to provide the most comprehensive and equitable care for mothers and babies across the state. RWJBarnabas Health offers comprehensive wraparound support for women from the moment they consider giving birth, throughout their pregnancy journey, and ongoing postpartum care. This includes ensuring that women are seeing other providers as needed along with their OB-GYN, such as a cardiologist or dietitian. Last fall, RWJBarnabas Health kicked-off participation in TeamBirth NJ, a national model of care to promote strong clinician and patient communication during the birthing experience. Through RWJBarnabas Health’s statewide Center for Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders, women and families can access mental health support before, during and after pregnancy. Additionally, pregnant women struggling with substance abuse disorder have access to the Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s nationally recognized Peer Recovery Program. All of these supportive programs are aimed at improving maternal health outcomes and are bolstered by the system’s comprehensive family planning clinics, robust midwifery program and comprehensive breastfeeding support. In 2022, the system’s Maternal Health programs received 26 awards from Healthgrades, the highest number of awards in the state for excellence in comprehensive women’s care. Additionally, four RWJBarnabas Health facilities were named to U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization that aims to help consumers make informed decisions about their health, also named three RWJBarnabas Health facilities to its 2022 list of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, among just 259 hospitals nationally to receive the award. ### ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering eight counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville; Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth; three acute care children's hospitals; Children’s Specialized Hospital, including a network of outpatient centers; a behavioral health center and the state’s largest behavioral health network; two trauma centers; a satellite emergency department; ambulatory care centers; geriatric centers; comprehensive home care and hospice programs; fitness and wellness centers; retail pharmacy services; an affiliated medical group; multi-site imaging centers; and two accountable care organizations. RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers – with more than 38,000 employees and 9,000 physicians – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers University, is New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research, and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey – the state's only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.